Apple‘s nascent AI capabilities, currently in beta testing as part of iOS 18.1, have ignited speculation about a potential subscription model. Industry analysts suggest a monthly fee of $10 to $20 could be on the horizon for premium AI features.

Apple’s demonstrated success in converting value-added services into substantial revenue streams has set a precedent. The company’s Services division, which includes the App Store and Apple Music, now surpasses the combined earnings of its wearable, Mac, and iPad segments. With profit margins on services significantly higher than hardware, the allure of monetizing AI is evident.

While the current iteration of Apple Intelligence offers basic features like improved notifications and Siri enhancements, more advanced capabilities such as image generation and in-depth conversational AI are in development. These features, coupled with the substantial investments required for AI development, have fueled speculation about a subscription model.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus and similar offerings from competitors have established a pricing benchmark for premium AI services. Incorporating Apple Intelligence into the Apple One subscription bundle is another potential monetization strategy.

However, it’s crucial to note that these are preliminary assessments. Apple has yet to officially announce plans to charge for Apple Intelligence.