Apple reportedly working on AI chip for mobile devices

Apple is said to be working on a dedicated artificial intelligence chip that would power AI-related tasks on mobile devices, according to Bloomberg.

The chip, which may be called the Apple Neural Engine, would be used to offload tasks that require sophisticated algorithms related to facial and speech recognition and augmented reality tasks that rely heavily on computer vision.

This chip could improve the device's overall battery life, the report says, and potentially improve overall performance of Apple devices.

According to commentators, it is not clear whether the chip would make its way into devices this year, Bloomberg reported, but Apple had already started testing future iPhone prototypes with the chip.

According to commentators, the end goal to separate the most computationally heavy tasks from the iPhone's processor and graphics chip like the distinct chips Apple uses to power motion sensing across its device line and the chip that helps its AirPods more easily sync wirelessly with the iPhone.

Apple has been typically secretive about any and all developments regarding future products, but according to commentators, Apple chief Tim Cook has over the last few years, dropped hints in interviews that augmented reality and AI were the two core pillars of Apple's future.