Mobile Device Management: Apple allows Apple Intelligence to be turned off
Until now, it was unclear whether Apple's AI system was also forced to be active on company devices. Now the first MDM parameters for control have emerged.
Apple Intelligence on Mac, iPhone and iPad.
(Image: Apple)
Apple will allow administrators to partially control access to its new AI system Apple Intelligence. Several parameters for mobile device management systems (MDM) have now emerged, which the company lists in its documentation. All Apple Intelligence-enabled devices are supported, i.e. compatible Macs, iPads and iPhones. However, there is not (yet) a central switch for deactivation.
First MDM systems already support
The new restrictions have already been integrated into the first MDM systems, including Addigy and - as Mac & i learned from a beta tester - the pre-release version of Jamf. Blackberry MDM and Apple's in-house tool Configurator still lack the restrictions. Apple Business Essentials, which is only available in the USA, cannot yet block Apple Intelligence either. It is to be expected that all regular MDM systems - including Apple's own tools - will gradually receive the function.
Do you read Mac & i?
Take part in our survey to find out what you like and don't like, what topics you would like to see covered and what you think of this summer's Apple innovations.
The survey can be accessed via page 3 at the bottom of the current issue 4/2024 and online.
Apple Intelligence is currently still in beta testing, which does not include all functions. The system is expected to be introduced with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1 in October, with further features, including a significantly improved Siri, gradually appearing by 2025. It is therefore commendable that Apple is already introducing the MDM restrictions so that administrators can prepare for them.
These functions can be blocked
The new restriction keys currently cover four different areas. Administrators can block Apple's AI writing tools (Writing Tools). Furthermore, ImageWand (apparently the AI editing functions integrated in the Photos app), Genmojis (AI-generated emojis) and the so-called Image Playground (Apple's AI image generator) can be turned off. Interesting fact: Of all four restrictions, only the writing tools have been released within the beta so far; all other functions are to follow in later pre-release versions.
Videos by heise
The main problem remains that administrators with the new restrictions do not yet have a central switch, as mentioned above. It will therefore initially be possible to activate Apple Intelligence in principle. However, even this may be too much for companies - even if Apple promises that the AI functions will be used either locally on the device or in an encrypted cloud. It is also to be hoped that MDM providers will incorporate the restrictions into their software in good time - including Apple itself.
(bsc)
