Apple is reportedly developing a next-generation AI-powered coding assistant in partnership with Amazon-backed startup Anthropic,The tool, described as part of a new “vibe-coding” software platform, is designed to assist programmers by generating, editing, and testing code using artificial intelligence.
The revamped platform will be an upgraded version of Apple’s Xcode, the company’s flagship integrated development environment (IDE), and is expected to feature Claude Sonnet, a powerful AI model developed by Anthropic. While Apple has not officially commented, sources familiar with the matter say the project is being trialed internally, with no decision yet on a public release.
The term “vibe coding” refers to an emerging trend where AI agents are entrusted with the creative and technical aspects of coding, offering a more intuitive and collaborative development experience.
This initiative follows Apple’s earlier but unreleased attempt at an AI coding tool, Swift Assist, which was announced in 2024. Swift Assist never launched amid internal concerns that it might slow down app development instead of streamlining it.
Apple’s push into generative AI for coding comes as competition in the AI space intensifies. Just last month, Bloomberg reported that OpenAI is in talks to acquire Windsurf, another AI-assisted coding platform, for around $3 billion.
In addition to AI tools, Apple is equipping its devices with high-performance chips optimized for AI tasks. These improvements enable features like on-device processing and integration with tools such as ChatGPT, aimed at enhancing user experience and maintaining Apple’s competitive edge.
As Apple deepens its involvement with AI partners like Anthropic, the tech giant appears focused on blending powerful AI capabilities with its existing ecosystem — all while deciding how and when to bring those innovations to developers worldwide.