FAQ: Apple Intelligence Writing Tools
Apple has released macOS 15.1 with Apple Intelligence, a new, optional suite of AI-powered enhancements to writing, workflow, and communication.
For apps that work with text, like Vellum, Apple Intelligence adds a collection of Writing Tools, including Proofread and Rewrite, which you can use to edit and refine your content:
Because AI can be a confusing and polarizing topic, we wanted to provide answers to some common questions and concerns we’ve heard about these new features in macOS.
Questions & Answers
I don’t want this! What do I do to turn it off?
Nothing. Apple Intelligence is off by default in macOS 15.1. We’ve also disabled Apple’s Writing Tools by default in the latest update to Vellum, so you won’t see these features unless you want to use them.
I’m curious! How do I turn this on?
Turning Writing Tools on will take more work.
You’ll need to first upgrade to macOS 15.1 on a Mac that supports Apple Intelligence. You can then set up Apple Intelligence in System Settings:
After enabling Writing Tools in Vellum’s Text Editor Settings, you’ll have quick access to them whenever text is selected.
Do Apple Intelligence Writing Tools run on my own computer or in the cloud?
While many Apple Intelligence features run on your device, more complicated components, like Writing Tools, make use of Apple’s Private Cloud Compute system.
Does that mean Apple will use my book for training AI?
According to Apple, no. Apple’s privacy statement declares that, when using Apple Private Cloud Compute, “Your data is only used for your requests” and “Your data is never stored or made accessible to anyone.”
If I use Apple’s Proofread tool, do I need to tell KDP I’ve used AI?
No. When you upload your book, KDP specifically wants to know about what they call AI-generated content. You do not need to inform them if you’ve used tools like Proofread to edit or refine content you’ve created, which they refer to as AI‑assisted.
How well do Apple’s Writing Tools work?
To be honest, they are still a bit rough around the edges. Apple uses a BETA badge for Apple Intelligence, though, so we expect these tools will continue to improve in future updates to macOS.
We hope these answers will help you make an informed decision about how and whether to use these new tools in macOS. Still have questions? Feel free to get in touch.