Apple reportedly testing AI-powered Intelligent Search & Web Eraser for upcoming Safari 18

Apple is reportedly testing a new version of its Safari web browser, anticipated to be launched as Safari 18 in 2024. The software is being evaluated alongside internal builds of upcoming operating system updates, iOS 18 and macOS 15.

The browser will feature UI tweaks, advanced content blocking, and a new tool called Intelligent Search. This AI-powered tool will require manual activation and will use Apple's proprietary on-device AI technology. It will employ the Ajax language-learning model to identify and summarize key topics and phrases within a webpage.

This new tool could be seen as Apple's response to rival generative AI tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. However, Apple's on-device models and technologies like Private Relay could potentially offer a more secure user experience.

Another feature being tested for Safari 18 is Web Eraser. This function will let users delete specific sections of web pages, building on Safari's existing privacy features. The changes made by Web Eraser will persist even after the original tab or window is closed.

Additionally, the new page controls menu in Safari 18 will provide users with easy access to several options that were previously scattered across different menus. These include zoom options, privacy controls, content blocking options, extension shortcuts, and access to the new AI and erasure tools.

Beyond Safari 18, Apple is also developing a visual search feature set for integration in 2025. This tool will provide information about consumer products from images, similar to the Visual Lookup feature used by Siri. The development of this tool is in the early stages, and its implementation remains undefined.