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Apple is exploring the development of an artificial intelligence-powered wearable device, according to people familiar with the plans, as it looks to keep pace with rapid advances in AI led by rivals such as OpenAI.
The project is said to be at an early stage, with the company considering how advanced AI features could be built into a new type of device, rather than existing products such as the Apple Watch or AirPods. No final design or launch timetable has been confirmed.
The reported move comes as Apple steps up efforts to weave artificial intelligence more deeply into its products. Last year, the company introduced its “Apple Intelligence” system and later integrated OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its iPhone, iPad and Mac software, marking a shift towards more capable AI tools across its ecosystem.
People briefed on the matter say the proposed wearable would focus on on-device AI processing, allowing features such as health monitoring, personalised suggestions and real-time interactions to run locally, rather than relying heavily on cloud computing. Apple has long promoted this approach as a way to improve speed while protecting user privacy.
Across the wider technology industry, AI is increasingly being embedded directly into consumer hardware, from smart glasses to fitness trackers. Apple’s interest in a new wearable reflects growing pressure on the company to respond to these trends, amid criticism that it has been slower than some competitors to deliver headline-grabbing generative AI products.
Read also: Nvidia Unveils Next-Generation AI Superchip at CES 2026
A New Form Factor?
Specific details about the device remain limited. However, the technology is expected to draw on Apple’s experience with custom chips and sensors, potentially combining biometric data with AI models designed to identify patterns or predict changes in a user’s health.
Some reports suggest the work could also build on elements of the company’s Vision Pro headset, adapting aspects of augmented reality technology into a smaller, everyday wearable. Internal prototypes are believed to be under testing, though any commercial release is unlikely before 2027.
The push is also shaped by intensifying competition. Recent advances by AI firms, including increasingly autonomous “agent” systems, have raised expectations around what digital assistants can do. Apple, traditionally seen as a hardware-led company, has been expanding its AI research, recruiting specialists and developing chips designed to handle complex neural network tasks efficiently.
Privacy is expected to be central to any eventual product. Wearable devices collect large volumes of sensitive personal data, particularly related to health. Apple has repeatedly argued that processing data on the device itself, rather than sending it to external servers, reduces security risks and gives users greater control.
Market Interest and Obstacles
News of Apple’s exploration of an AI wearable has fuelled speculation among investors and analysts, who see AI-enhanced devices as a potentially fast-growing segment of the consumer electronics market. Rival products already exist, including smart glasses and health-focused rings that use AI to analyse activity and deliver notifications.
However, significant challenges remain. Running advanced AI models on small, battery-powered devices places limits on performance and battery life. Regulators are also paying closer attention to AI-driven products, particularly in areas such as health, where errors or bias in algorithms could have serious consequences.
In Europe, for example, proposed rules under the EU’s AI Act could subject certain wearables to stricter oversight. More broadly, there are ongoing debates about how personal data is used, stored and protected as AI becomes more deeply embedded in everyday technology.
Online reaction to the reports has been mixed. While some users have expressed excitement about the prospect of more capable, always-available AI assistance, others have raised concerns about privacy and over-reliance on automated systems.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape consumer electronics, Apple’s reported plans underline how major technology companies are racing to define the next generation of devices. Whether a new AI-powered wearable can stand out in an increasingly crowded and scrutinised market will depend not only on technical innovation, but also on how successfully Apple can maintain user trust.
