Here's how Apple plans to protect privacy and still compete on AI

A theory has taken hold in tech: Apple's devotion to privacy will handicap it during the next major wave of computing, where artificial intelligence like voice interaction, personal assistants and automation take center stage. This morning Apple gave its response: It won't handicap us, because we can do both. A concept called "differential privacy" -- an en vogue statistical method designed to reap useful intel from big piles of data while protecting personally identifying information therein. Apple has branded itself as antithetical to Google and Facebook, companies that rely on reams of data. But Apple also wants to provide the perks these companies offer -- more smart, personalized services -- that require reams of data.