Intelligent Assistant added to iWork apps

Apple has introduced an "Intelligent Assistant" for its iWork apps, including Pages, Keynote, and Numbers, as part of recent updates. This feature is currently in beta and only available to subscribers of Apple's Creator Studio, a paid subscription that includes access to professional tools like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro.

Assistant helps create and edit documents in Pages

In Pages, the assistant can help users create documents from scratch, propose a first draft, write specific sections, or reorganize existing text. It can also adjust the tone of a passage, generate images or shapes from natural language instructions, and integrate recent information into the document.

Assistant assists with slides and presentations in Keynote

In Keynote, the assistant can generate slides, create illustrations and shapes, write speaker notes, suggest animations, and improve the flow of a presentation. It can also transform everyday language requests into elements directly usable in the presentation and incorporate recent information.

Assistant enhances spreadsheet functionality in Numbers

In Numbers, the assistant can build tables, generate complex formulas, suggest charts, and analyze data to identify trends. It can also explain how formulas work, help solve problems, and integrate recent information found online, making the app more accessible to users unfamiliar with spreadsheet syntax.

Assistant is currently limited to American English users

The "Intelligent Assistant" is available in American English and requires iOS, iPadOS, or macOS 27 or later. French-speaking users will need to wait before accessing the feature. Additionally, the assistant was not immediately visible after updates, suggesting a server-side activation may be required, though Apple has not provided specific details.

New .keyx format improves compatibility in Keynote

The update also introduces the ability to import and export presentations in the .keyx format, an open exchange format intended to make collaboration with non-Apple users easier. While less dramatic than the intelligent assistant, this feature is welcomed by users who need to work across different platforms.

Apple's AI assistant marks a major shift in iWork

Apple's integration of AI into the iWork suite represents a significant step forward, moving from occasional tools to an assistant that understands the document and can intervene in multiple aspects of the work. However, users may question whether the productivity gains justify the cost of a Creator Studio subscription.