Apple Offers Free AI Models to Developers Under 2 Million Downloads

3 articles · Updated · TechCrunch · Jun 8

Developers with fewer than 2 million first-time App Store downloads can now use Apple’s Foundation Models in Private Cloud Compute with no cloud API charges.
Apple pitched the move at WWDC as a way to cut AI experimentation costs and lure newer developers who may avoid building with large models because of infrastructure bills.
The company also said the Foundation Models framework will add image input and server-model support this year, letting developers connect to outside cloud model providers for more complex tasks.
The offer extends Apple’s broader small-developer strategy, echoing its Small Business Program, as AI spending pressure spreads across the industry and companies rein in usage.