In the recently released macOS Sequoia beta, testers discovered publicly available JSON text files containing instructions for the Apple Intelligence artificial intelligence. These files, found in a system folder, include a number of unusual conditions to ensure the accuracy and usefulness of the generative AI actions.
Image source: Apple
Among the 29 files found, many system prompts were found, the wording of which resembles attempts to explain to a child how to behave in a new situation. For example, how writes Ars Technica, one of the tips reads: “You are a helpful assistant in composing email messages and can help identify relevant questions in a received message and compose a short response.” Other instructions provide directions on how to formulate responses to messages.
Of particular interest are the prompts aimed at preventing so-called “hallucinations” of artificial intelligence, that is, false and inaccurate statements. Among them are phrases such as “Don’t hallucinate” and “Don’t make things up.” Experts note that the presence of such instructions is not surprising given the experience of other companies in the field of generative AI. For example, Microsoft faced problems when launching its Bing Chat chatbot based on ChatGPT in 2023, which could give unpredictable, aggressive or even threatening answers, depending on what question users asked it.
The interest in Apple Intelligence hints is not so much in their existence as in the ability to examine the instructions the company uses to control AI responses. If these files remain available in future versions of macOS, it will be possible to track changes in Apple’s approach to its artificial intelligence.
Apple Intelligence features are expected to be available for public beta testing this fall, but they won’t be included in the initial releases of iOS 18.0, iPadOS 18.0, and macOS 15.0. Some capabilities, such as phone call and voicemail transcription and text summarization, will be available early. Other features, including a new version of Siri, may not arrive until next year.
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