Apple is launching a free software update to bring its first AI capabilities to the new iPhone 16 series, keeping up with the latest technological wave. This iOS 18 update, arriving Monday, will enable the AI features on iPhone 16 models, which launched with specialized chips to handle AI functionalities and range from $800 to $1,200. Last year’s high-end iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models also support the upgrade, along with recent iPads and Macs.

International iPhone users will have to wait until next year to access these AI updates, while Apple has spent the last few weeks testing the software with selected users. This AI boost aims to make Siri a smarter, more interactive virtual assistant, with a glowing indicator on the screen as Siri handles requests. Though Siri’s enhanced capabilities won’t yet interact with other apps, a future update is planned to add this.

Additional AI tools included in the update assist with writing, proofreading, and summarizing documents, while photo editing features will allow users to alter images and locate older photos with ease. Later updates will offer customization options like generating emojis or creating images on request, with future integration from OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Apple is positioning its AI platform, branded “Apple Intelligence,” to prioritize user privacy by processing most data on-device or within secure data centers, aiming to set it apart from other AI providers. Most of Apple’s AI functions already exist on some Android devices from Samsung and Google, released earlier this year.

The launch is expected to spark strong demand for new iPhones as many older models lack the necessary chip to run Apple’s AI. Apple’s stock price has surged 18% since announcing its AI plans in June, boosting its market value by about $500 billion and bringing it closer to a $4 trillion valuation.

Thursday’s quarterly report will give investors a first look at iPhone 16 sales from the July-September quarter, with industry data indicating a 3.5% rise in iPhone shipments during this period. Demand for older high-end models like the iPhone 15 has grown, driven by price cuts and rising interest in Apple’s AI efforts.

Additionally, Apple’s update will enable some AirPods models to function as hearing aids, a welcome feature for the millions experiencing hearing loss in the U.S., per the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.