Long -standing 9TO5mac readers will remember that the native shortcut application began as a Independent project called workflowAn intelligent and accessible tool that has made automation fun and accessible to less technical users.
Today, shortcuts remain a powerful utility, especially on the Mac. However, in relation to the way in which agental AI tools have reshaped the way we think of automation, he feels a little stagnant. This can be about to change.
As reported by Mark Gurman in today Rise Newsletter, Apple is preparing a significant overhaul of its shortcut application, integrating AI’s capacities via its Apple Intelligence initiative:
“A reworked version of its shortcut application, which allows users today to create actions such as the launch of certain features in applications or reading a particular reading list. The new version will allow consumers to create these actions using Apple Intelligence models. (This has long been planned for 2025, but delays can push it to 2026.)”) “)
In other words, an AI -based shortcut application could allow more natural language interactions, which further reduces the barrier for curious automation users who could find the current interface a little difficult to navigate.
This decision combines with broader industry trends where AI is increasingly integrated into the functionalities at the system level. Copilot + PC from Microsoft, for example, IA agent Capable of carrying out actions and adjustments of the system to collapse of marguerite based on user requests via natural language commands.
Imagine the combination of this capacity with automation generated by AI triggered by simple vocal or text prompts, such as: “When I start a zoom, teams, meetings or calls facetime, activate, do not disturb, do not disturb the screen and open the notes. During the meeting, capture the names of the participants, the employment titles and the key discussion points. After the call, write an email summarizing the meeting and describing the elements of action of each person.“”
It could be trivial for YouBut it is certainly not for most users. And having this kind of thing in an order of voice could be really powerful.
I repeat: MCP
And then there is MCP of AnthropicAn open standard designed to facilitate transparent integration between AI assistants and external data sources and tools. Against all expectations, it has been adopted by major players, including Google and Openai (who also offer their own solutions), in a rare case of collaboration between industry.
Although it is not sure that Apple will ever adopt MCP, its adoption would absolutely benefit users by allowing automation even more, beyond the parameters of the system and the limited control of local applications.
Given Gurman’s report according to which this shortcut functionality fueled by the AI, initially planned for 2025, could be delayed at 2026, it is unlikely that we will see it presented during the WWDC Keynote on June 9.
However, it is a relief to know that Apple has paid attention to this aspect of agentic AI. It remains to be seen if she will hold her promise.
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