Sept 12 Reuters Unlike other companies that are attempting significant transformations with artificial intelligence, Apple is using the emerging technology to improve basic functions in its new gadgets.

Without using the words artificial intelligence to describe the emerging technology, Apple showcased a new line of iPhones and a new watch that included improved semiconductor designs that power the new AI features. The features largely improve basic functions like taking a call or snapping better images.

Artificial intelligence didn39;t come up at its June developer conference either but has for months been quietly reshaping Apple39;s core software products behind the scenes.

In contrast, Microsoft and Alphabet39;s Google set ambitious goals for the level of transformation with their AI efforts. Industry leaders have warned about the potential harms of the unchecked development of new tools such as generative AI.

Apple built the Series 9 Watch with a new chip that includes improved data crunching capabilities, notably adding a fourcore Neural Engine that can process machine learning tasks up to twice as quickly. The Neural Engine is what Apple calls the building blocks for its chips that accelerate AI functions.

The AI components of the watch chip make Siri, Apple39;s voice assistant, 25 more accurate.

But including the machine learning chip components also enabled Apple to launch a new way to interact with the device people can double tap by fingerpinching with…