Apple Intelligence may not be free in the future, and the company may launch a subscription-based service for its advanced AI capabilities, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports. The company may monetize its AI feature, possibly launching a service called “Apple Intelligence+” in the future. Here’s everything to know.

Gurman, known for his accurate reporting about Apple, suggests that Apple Intelligence will initially be free, but the tech giant may plan to turn these advanced features into a revenue stream over time. This strategy would mirror Apple’s current model with services like iCloud, where basic features are available for free, but additional capabilities require a monthly subscription.

Gurman said, “There is an opportunity to turn AI features and other software into paid services, but that will take time. Although Apple Intelligence will initially be free, the long-term plan is to make money from the capabilities.” He also pointed out that Apple could secure a portion of subscription revenue from third-party AI partners integrated into its platform.

This potential shift to a subscription model reflects Apple’s goal of diversifying its revenue sources. With the growing focus on AI, Apple aims to stay at the forefront by not only improving the user experience but also generating significant revenue from these services. Gurman suggested that the move would reduce Apple’s reliance on its traditional hardware sales and create a steady source of revenue from its growing AI ecosystem.

So far, Apple has confirmed that its advanced AI features, called Apple Intelligence, will be available exclusively on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 series, which is yet to be officially announced, will likely be equipped with these capabilities, but nothing has been confirmed.

Gurman also said that the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup will not have “too many hardware changes.” This suggests that Apple is focusing on software and services while using its AI innovation as a key differentiator in a saturated market. The 2024 iPhones are expected to launch in September, just like every year.