THE next wave of Apple Intelligence is almost herebringing some of the most anticipated new features. But two of these features, Genmoji and Image Playground, come with some key guardrails in iOS 18.2 that you should know about.

The importance of protections for AI images

AI image generation can be a lot of fun, but it also has a troubling track record.

Deepfakes are a major problem in themselves, but they are not the only one. Check out these very real headlines from the recent Pixel 9 launch:

It’s headlines like these, and every other problem you could imagine being caused by AI images, that have led Apple to implement guardrails with its AI image features.

Apple’s image generation safeguards

Here’s how Apple does things differently with Genmoji and Image Playground in iOS 18.2:

1. Unrealistic styles: Some AI image generation tools allow you to create photorealistic images. Apple says no, at least for now. Genmoji are all animated like normal emoji, and Image Playground only creates images in one of three styles: Animation, Illustration, and Sketch. This way, no matter what you do, no one will mistake it for a real thing.
2. No IP address recognized: You may want to create an image or emoji of Darth Vader with a Santa hat. Unfortunately, recognized IPs like Vader, Mickey Mouse, SpongeBob and many others are banned. If you make a typed request for an image using a character’s name, iOS 18.2 will provide an error: “Cannot use this description.” The same thing will happen if you give Image Playground an image of a famous character as inspiration.
3. Waiting list: iOS 18.1 used a waitlist for all of its Apple Intelligence features. But even though you have access to AI in version 18.1, Apple has a new special waiting list in iOS 18.2 exclusively for image features. After installing the update, you will need to open Image Playground or Genmoji to explicitly request access to these new image tools. This phased rollout is intended to help Apple ensure its new tools work as intended.

iOS 18.2 Apple Intelligence Summary

iOS 18.2’s Picture Tools Are Only Part of the Story next big AI feature release.

Many more Apple Intelligence features will be available next month, including ChatGPT Integration, Visual intelligence on iPhone 16 models, and more.

What do you think of Apple’s image safeguards? Let us know in the comments.

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