With tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI all recently sharing big AI updates at their events, one company has been conspicuously absent from the AI conversation: Apple.

However, we now have new information from Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman regarding a completely new AI feature likely coming to the next iPhone update, iOS 18.

According to Gurman, Apple is currently developinga program on the iPhone that will allow users to create custom emojis using generative AI.

Mashable Light SpeedWant more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Thanks for signing up!

SEE ALSO:iOS 18 may bring these new emoji to iPhone, including this ‘baggy eyes’ one

How custom AI emojis on iPhone will work

There aren't too many details about the new feature other than Gurman's report in his latest Power On newsletter. However, we do have some basic information.

Using this AI-creating emoji software, users will have the opportunity to create customized emojis for any situation or occasion using a simple text-based prompt.

Apple will continue to provide the latest new emojis from the Unicode Consortium, including new a fingerprint and a harp. However, users will no longer need to fit one of these emojis into whatever they are trying to convey; they can just create their own custom emoji tailored specifically to what they want.

AI-created emojis aren't an original concept. There are a number of third-party options available online as well as on Apple's App Store. However, these products usually require a paid subscription. Apple is looking to build its own service right into iOS, without requiring users to subscribe to yet another service.