At WWDC 2025, Apple showed off a new AI-powered Shortcuts app.
The company says Shortcuts can now tap into Apple Intelligence directly, and developers will be able to access Apple’s on-device large language model (LLM).
With Shortcuts, users will be able to access the AI models either on device or with Private Compute to generate responses that feed into the rest of their shortcut. For instance, a student could create a shortcut that uses AI to compare their audio transcription of their class lecture to their notes, then add key points they missed. They can also tap into ChatGPT to provide further responses that feed into their shortcut’s input.
Users will be able to tap into intelligent actions, which are a new type of shortcut that’s enabled by Apple Intelligence. For instance, there are dedicated actions like those for summarizing text with AI (Apple Intelligence’s Writing Tools) or creating images with Image Playground.
Apple says the new features are available for testing starting Monday.
The AI-assisted Shortcuts app follows the company’s announcement last year of an AI-enhanced upgrade to its virtual assistant Siri, offering more personalized features and support. However, Apple then pushed back the launch, saying it would take longer to deliver than anticipated.
At WWDC 2025, the company continued to make AI promises, including the introduction of an updated version of its Shortcuts app for scripting and automation.
These AI changes could make Shortcuts easier to use for the less technically inclined, who have likely avoided using the app that has so far been more a part of a power user’s toolkit.
For example, popular shortcuts today can help you do things like make custom memes or GIFs, create meeting notes, track time spent on certain activities, create playlists, save PDFs, find out where a photo was taken, set location-based reminders, speed dial a friend, combine screenshots, shorten URLs, download files, save items to read later, and more.
The update could also work as something of a stop-gap for Apple’s delays to fully upgrade Siri with AI capabilities, as leveraging AI-assisted automation could make using the iPhone at least feel more efficient. (If you’re willing to put in the work around shortcut creation, that is.)
