Apple is in discussions with Anthropic to create an AI-enhanced version of Xcode. The integrated development environment (IDE), which serves as the backbone for software development across Apple’s platforms, saw the introduction of an AI coding assistant named Swift Assist last year. According to a report from Bloomberg, the tech giant is poised to expand its AI features significantly in the upcoming version of Xcode, enabling it to autonomously write, edit, and test code without developer input.
Apple Is Reportedly Planning an AI Upgrade for Xcode
Bloomberg has reported on Apple’s intention to initially roll out the AI-driven Xcode internally. The company has yet to decide on a public release for this advanced platform. Sources familiar with the situation indicate that the new programming environment will utilize Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet model, although specifics about the model version remain unclear.
The updated Xcode will emphasize a concept known as “vibe coding.” This term was introduced by Andrej Karpathy, co-founder of OpenAI and a former AI director at Tesla, in February. Vibe coding represents an innovative paradigm where developers can articulate their project objectives, and an AI with a conversational interface will handle the coding, editing, testing, and deployment processes. In this approach, the coder’s primary responsibility shifts to focusing on the vision for the final product rather than the intricate details of implementation.
As reported, Apple has initially been cautious about incorporating AI into consumer-oriented software. Nevertheless, the company is now exploring this transition to enhance internal workflows and accelerate software development timelines.
The forthcoming programming platform is expected to feature a chat interface, allowing developers to enter prompts regarding their coding goals or desired modifications. Additionally, it will include a testing environment designed to assess user interfaces (UI), which sources describe as “cumbersome when done manually.” Furthermore, the upgraded Xcode is also anticipated to automate the process of identifying and fixing bugs in existing code.
In recent years, Apple has partnered with various companies to integrate new AI capabilities into its products. Notably, the company collaborated with OpenAI to leverage ChatGPT’s functionalities within Apple Intelligence, and it is reportedly in negotiations to incorporate support for Gemini across its devices. Additionally, in China, Apple is working with Baidu to enhance its array of AI features.
