Apple is working with Anthropic on an AI coding tool for Xcode

Apple is developing an AI-powered coding tool called “Swift Assist” in collaboration with Anthropic, which will integrate Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet model into Xcode.
The new tool will allow developers to enter requests in a chat interface, test user interfaces, and help manage bug fixing, according to Bloomberg.
Apple has not yet decided whether to release the tool to the public, but it is slowly rolling it out internally for testing purposes.
The integration of AI-powered coding tools like Swift Assist could give Apple an edge in advancing its lagging AI efforts and competing with other tech companies.
Other big tech CEOs have already touted the benefits of AI in code development, including Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, who said that 20-30% of his company’s internal code is written by software.

Apple and Anthropic are building an AI-powered coding tool that will work in Xcode, Apple’s code-writing tool, Bloomberg reports. A new version of Xcode will integrate Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet model to “write, edit and test code on behalf of programmers,” Bloomberg says.

Apple is slowly rolling this new version out internally initially and apparently has not decided if it will release it to the public. Developers will be able to enter requests in a chat interface, test user interfaces, and help manage bug fixing, according to Bloomberg. Apple didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment from The Verge. Anthropic spokesperson Danielle Ghiglieri declined to comment.

Big tech CEOs have touted how AI assists with the development of their internal code, including Microsoft’s Satya Nadella saying that “maybe 20 to 30 percent of the code that is inside of our repos today in some of our projects are probably all written by software.” OpenAI is also reportedly considering a $3 billion deal to buy the AI-powered coding tool Windsurf, which could make ChatGPT better for helping with coding. Apple announced an AI-powered tool to help with coding called “Swift Assist” at WWDC 2024, but hasn’t yet released it, as noted by Bloomberg.

The new tool could help Apple get a leg up as it tries to advance its lagging AI efforts. The company recently delayed its upgraded Siri, saying in a statement that “it’s going to take us longer than we thought” to roll it out despite announcing it in June 2024. Oversight of Siri was recently moved from AI chief John Giannandrea to Mike Rockwell, the former head of Vision Pro development.

Update, May 2nd: Anthropic declined to comment.

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Q. What is Apple working on with Anthropic?

A. An AI-powered coding tool for Xcode.

Q. What will this new version of Xcode integrate to help programmers?

A. The Claude Sonnet model from Anthropic, which can “write, edit and test code on behalf of programmers.”

Q. Will the public be able to access this new version of Xcode?

A. Apple has not decided yet if it will release the tool to the public.

Q. What features will developers have access to with this new tool?

A. Developers will be able to enter requests in a chat interface, test user interfaces, and help manage bug fixing.

Q. How much code is reportedly written by software at Microsoft?

A. According to Satya Nadella, “maybe 20 to 30 percent of the code that is inside of our repos today in some of our projects are probably all written by software.”

Q. What is Apple’s AI-powered tool called for coding?

A. Swift Assist.

Q. Why did Apple delay its upgraded Siri release?

A. The company announced it would take longer than expected to roll out the updated Siri, citing “it’s going to take us longer than we thought” in a statement.

Q. Who oversaw the oversight of Siri recently?

A. Mike Rockwell, the former head of Vision Pro development, took over from AI chief John Giannandrea.

Q. What is Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet model used for?

A. The Claude Sonnet model is an AI-powered coding tool that can “write, edit and test code on behalf of programmers.”

Q. Is Apple working with OpenAI to improve its AI efforts?

A. There is no mention in the text that Apple is working with OpenAI specifically.

Q. What deal is OpenAI reportedly considering for Windsurf?

A. A $3 billion deal to buy the AI-powered coding tool Windsurf.