Apple’s Shortcuts app has long been an under-the-radar gem for power users, a means to automate tasks on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. From generating a Wi-Fi QR code to automatically deleting old screenshots to syncing smart devices when arriving home, Shortcuts has been a productivity powerhouse.
But if you’ve ever attempted to create a custom shortcut from the ground up, you can appreciate that it can feel difficult to use—yes, even to tech-savvy folks.
Luckily, that’s set to change. Apple is said to be developing an AI-powered version of the Shortcuts app, and it’s reportedly set to launch at WWDC 2025.
AI-Powered Shortcuts May End the Learning Curve
Apple’s Secret Weapon? Siri Could Soon Create Shortcuts From Just
Bagus Hernawan/Unsplash
Apple will incorporate its in-house AI models, presumably the basis of “Apple Intelligence,” natively into the Shortcuts app, Bloomberg reports. That means users will be able to create sophisticated automations using easy-to-use natural language instructions.
Rather than painstakingly choosing scores of parameters by hand, you could simply say:
“Hey Siri, create a shortcut that responds to weekend texts with I’m out and follow up Monday, and activate it when I say, ‘I’m out.'”
With robust on-device AI, that voice command could create an entirely functional shortcut in an instant: no tapping, swiping, or scripting required.
Read more:
Report: Instagram for iPad Is Coming After Meta Releases WhatsApp’s Version—But When?
Apple’s AI Could Rival Gemini and Copilot
And if this sounds familiar, that is because Google’s Gemini and Microsoft’s Copilot already provide similar experiences. According to Digital Trends’ Nadeem Sarwar, Gemini Nano, for example, allows Android phones to interpret voice instructions and perform tasks in Gmail, Docs, WhatsApp, and more.
Apple appears to be following suit by introducing system-level AI capable of parsing voice prompts and turning them into multi-app routines. Unlike OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which lacks system-wide access on iPhones, Apple’s own models would work seamlessly within its ecosystem, giving it a major edge.
Developers Will Get AI Access, Too
In addition to user automation, Apple will also provide access to developers for these AI tools, enabling third-party apps to have native AI abilities integrated without any impact on privacy or performance. This sets the stage for apps to enable smarter, richer Shortcuts integrations.
For example, suppose you say:
“Make a shortcut to edit the photo I just took, add a filter in Lightroom, and post it to Instagram with #sunsetvibes.” With proper app support, this could be a one-command process.
OpenAI Engineer Already Created a Functional Prototype
Curiously, OpenAI iOS engineer Rounak Jain has already shown a prototype of what it’s like with voice-to-action. Based on GPT-4.1, his open-sourced demo can command flashlights, send pictures, and even hail cabs—all with one verbal command.
This would indicate that Apple’s AI-driven Shortcuts might replicate this stance, providing users not only execution but control and customization. Ideally, Apple will allow users to fine-tune the automation sequence prior to saving it as a new shortcut.
The Future of iPhone Automation Is Voice-First
The fantasy of describing your phone’s actions and having it reply in perfect automation can become a reality. If Apple releases an easy-to-use, AI-powered, editable workflow system, Shortcuts may finally transcend its niche status to become a powerhouse productivity tool for the masses.
Related Article:
Need Help Tracking Games? iPhone’s GamePal Boasts iCloud Sync to Ensure Your Data is Always Updated