John Collison, co-founder of payment processing giant Stripe, recently shared his early impressions of Apple Intelligence, describing the new AI system as "a bit introverted." Collison's observation, posted on social media, offered a personal take on Apple's generative AI capabilities, noting, "I wouldn't call him a Corn Plant personally." The comment suggests a nuanced, if somewhat reserved, initial user experience with the technology.
Apple Intelligence, unveiled in June 2024 at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), began its phased rollout with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 in October 2024. The system integrates advanced AI features directly into Apple's ecosystem, offering tools like enhanced writing assistance, a more natural Siri, and intelligent photo editing. Recent updates, including those released on September 15, 2025, have further expanded its functionalities, adding Live Translation and advanced visual intelligence.
The system is designed to operate with a combination of on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute, leveraging Apple silicon for enhanced privacy and performance. While initial reviews have been mixed, with some critics finding the early release "underwhelming," Apple has continuously rolled out new features and language support. The company has emphasized its commitment to privacy, ensuring user data is not stored or shared during cloud-based AI processing.
Collison's lighthearted remark highlights the ongoing public discourse around the "personality" and user experience of AI systems. As generative AI becomes more pervasive, user perceptions of its interaction style and responsiveness are becoming a key aspect of its adoption and evaluation. Apple continues to refine Apple Intelligence, with more capabilities and broader language support anticipated in the coming months.