Apple is reportedly planning to retire its long-standing Core ML machine learning framework in favor of a modernized “Core AI” platform to be introduced at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June as part of the upcoming iOS 27 release, with the shift intended to better support contemporary artificial intelligence tools and make it easier for developers to integrate third-party AI models into apps while signaling a broader emphasis on advanced AI capabilities in Apple’s software stack.
Sources
https://9to5mac.com/2026/03/01/apple-replacing-core-ml-with-modernized-core-ai-framework-for-ios-27-at-wwdc/
https://letsdatascience.com/news/apple-replaces-core-ml-with-core-ai-3eaa8e92
https://www.mactech.com/2026/03/01/apple-may-update-its-core-ml-framework-to-a-core-ai-framework/
Key Takeaways
• Apple is expected to replace its current Core ML framework with a new “Core AI” framework at WWDC 2026 to be part of iOS 27.
• The shift reflects Apple’s broader strategic emphasis on modern artificial intelligence, including easier integration of third-party AI models and more robust developer tools.
• Reports suggest both frameworks may coexist temporarily, but the name change underscores a move away from traditional machine learning labeling toward general AI.
In-Depth
Apple appears ready to phase out the aging Core ML machine learning framework in favor of a newly modernized Core AI system, marking one of the most significant changes to its developer tools in several years. According to multiple reports based on Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and other industry analysis, Core AI will succeed Core ML as the central framework for on-device artificial intelligence in iOS 27, which is slated to debut at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. The shift is more than cosmetic: the rebranding from “ML” to “AI” reflects a broader industry trend and Apple’s effort to position its platform to better support modern AI workloads, including integrating external AI models and expanding the capability set for developers who build apps for iPhone and iPad.
Core ML has long served as Apple’s tool for running machine learning models locally on devices, leveraging the Neural Engine and other hardware to provide features like image analysis, text recognition, and basic machine learning tasks with a focus on privacy and efficiency. However, the rapid evolution of generative AI and other advanced artificial intelligence techniques has outpaced the scope of what traditional machine learning frameworks were designed to do. Core AI is expected to address this gap by providing a more flexible, comprehensive framework that accommodates a wider array of AI tasks, including deeper integration of language models, neural networks, and other cutting-edge AI tools.
Reports also indicate that while Core AI will eventually replace Core ML, both systems may coexist for a period during the transition so that developers can migrate their apps smoothly without losing compatibility with existing machine learning setups. This phased approach would allow Apple to maintain stability for current apps while encouraging adoption of the new framework’s advanced capabilities. Analysts see this change as part of Apple’s broader push into artificial intelligence, which already includes enhancements to Siri and Apple Intelligence features, as well as support for Apple’s own Foundation Models and on-device inference. The introduction of Core AI underscores Apple’s intention to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving AI landscape by offering developers powerful tools that align with contemporary applications and user expectations.