The ChatGPT app for macOS has been updated to allow coding directly in Xcode, which means it will compete with Apple's own SwiftAssist and Microsoft's GitHub Copilot.
Third-party artificial intelligence tools have been available for a while to help with programming on macOS, but OpenAI joins the ranks with the latest ChatGPT app update. With the "Work with Apps" feature, users can communicate with ChatGPT and share content from Xcode and other IDEs.
The update comes with an "auto-apply" mode so ChatGPT can edit code without an additional permission prompt each time. OpenAI team member Alexander Embiricos posted a video on social media demonstrating the feature.
The update will be available to ChatGPTPlus, Pro and Team users on Thursday, with Enterprise, Education and Free Edition users gaining access next week. Windows users will get the feature "soon".
Xcode already has Swift Accessibility, a generative programming assistant developed by Apple that runs through a private cloud server. Users can also install tools such as GitHubCopilot to assist with programming.
Developers need to weigh the risks of exposing their code to third-party AI tools. Apple promises not to store the code or use it for training.
Apple may introduce more features to SwiftAssist during WWDC in June. Until then, third-party options like ChatGPT will work alongside Apple's built-in tools to help developers solve programming problems.