Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 kicked off Monday with investor attention locked on one question: will this be the moment Apple finally delivers a compelling artificial intelligence strategy? With AAPL shares down more than 16% year-to-date, market watchers are hoping the tech giant can reignite enthusiasm by unveiling AI features that go beyond incremental upgrades.

Apple is set to announce updates across iOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS during the five-day event. But the main focus isn’t software polish — it’s artificial intelligence integration. After trailing behind AI leaders like Microsoft and Nvidia, Apple now faces pressure to prove it can compete. Investors want more than buzzwords and marketing language — they want to see how Apple plans to monetize AI and use it to enhance its ecosystem.

The company’s 2024 AI rollout, centered around the vague “Apple Intelligence” branding, failed to impress. Many features were delayed, and the tech didn’t seem ready to drive revenue growth. With competitors sprinting ahead, Apple’s slow pace has cost it its crown as the most valuable company by market cap. The expectation now is for Tim Cook’s team to unveil features that actually shift the user experience — and the bottom line.

Despite falling behind in the AI race, Apple retains a key advantage: its massive global user base of over two billion active devices. Any new AI tools it introduces will gain instant traction, provided they offer tangible value. There is also renewed speculation about improvements to Siri, which has long been seen as lagging in functionality compared to rival AI assistants. If Apple can demonstrate real-world applications of AI that improve productivity, personalization, or performance, investors may regain confidence.

However, flashy announcements alone won’t be enough to sway the market. The disappointing launch and limited impact of the Vision Pro headset last year serve as a cautionary tale. Investors are no longer satisfied with sleek product demos — they want to see strategic clarity, long-term vision, and evidence that Apple is prepared to lead in the next era of technology. With WWDC 2025 now underway, Apple’s challenge is clear: it must deliver more than innovation — it must deliver conviction.