Apple’s new Writing Tools

How Apple’s New Writing Tools on Mac Are a Game-Changer for Me

I recently attended an Apple business event at Apple Store Regent Street, where I got a first look at Apple Intelligence. At my last visit to Apple’s HQ in Battersea, a year ago, Apple were very keen to point out that AI has been built into their OS for a long time and that as an Apple Consultant it was our job to point this out to our customers. Roll on WWDC 2024 and Apple doubled down on this message and announced Apple Intelligence. The event on Monday was to explain some of the key features and raise awareness. One feature stood out immediately: the new Writing Tools built into macOS. As someone who’s dyslexic and a certified terrible writer, this is a very welcome tool!

What Makes These Tools So Useful?

The Writing Tools make it easier to:
✅ Rewrite and Refine: Instantly improve clarity and tone.
✅ Summarize and Highlight: Pull out key points from long content.
✅ Proofread and Correct: Catch grammar mistakes I might miss.

And when I need help with more complex tasks—like drafting an email or brainstorming ideas—these tools can tap into ChatGPT for extra support. It’s like having a writing assistant that’s always there when I need it.

Privacy? Some positive signs.

Recently, whenever I’ve been involved in a conversation where ChatGPT has been mentioned, it’s not long before people start talking about privacy and security. Rightly so! Employees pasting company information into a standard ChatGPT prompt is, technically exfiltration and the sensitive information that’s been found lurking in ChatGPT has been well covered in the tech press. I was also relieved to learn that Apple has thought of this:
🔒 Basic tasks happen on-device, so sensitive information never leaves the Mac.
🌐 When ChatGPT is involved, everything is encrypted and secure.*
📝 Plus, ChatGPT is opt-in, giving me full control over when I use it.

* The caveat about ChatGPT is that if we’re going to allow employees to use it, we’ll need to pay for a Team or Enterprise account. The free information provided to the free version is used to train the model.

Why This Matters for Me

For someone who struggles with writing, this isn’t just a cool feature—it’s a lifeline. Whether I’m polishing a new business proposal or just trying to get my thoughts down clearly, these tools give me the confidence to communicate effectively without second-guessing every word.

Apple’s Writing Tools don’t just help me write better—they help me express my ideas the way I want, without getting bogged down by the process. And that’s a huge win.

Article written with the help of Apple Intelligence!