OmniFocus Adds Private AI Automation Using Apple’s Foundation Model
Key Points
- OmniFocus integrates AI using Apple’s Foundation large‑language model.
- AI features are delivered via optional automations, not intrusive UI prompts.
- Required platforms: recent macOS, iOS, or iPadOS versions with Apple Intelligence support.
- Early automations include “Help Me Plan” for subtask generation and “Clipboard Events” for task creation from clipboard text.
- All automations are open‑source, with documentation and video guides provided.
- OmniGroup emphasizes privacy, offline processing, and user control over AI functionality.
Omni Group is integrating generative AI into its OmniFocus task‑management app in a discreet, offline‑first manner. Leveraging Apple’s Foundation large‑language model, the new AI features are offered through optional automations that users can install and run without intrusive UI prompts. Early automations like “Help Me Plan” and “Clipboard Events” demonstrate how AI can break tasks into subtasks or turn clipboard text into actionable items, all while keeping data private and under the user’s control.
OmniGroup’s Low‑Key AI Strategy
Omni Group, the Seattle‑based maker of the popular OmniFocus productivity app, is introducing generative artificial intelligence in a way that prioritizes user privacy and control. Rather than adding flashy buttons or pop‑ups, the company relies on Apple’s new Foundation model—part of the Apple Intelligence suite—to power AI capabilities that run locally on the device. This approach ensures that users’ data remains private and that AI features are completely optional.
Technical Requirements and Setup
To access the AI‑driven automations, users must run one of Apple’s recent operating systems—macOS, iOS, or iPadOS—that support the Foundation API. An up‑to‑date version of OmniFocus is also required, as it is currently the only Omni app that includes AI support. Once these prerequisites are met, users can browse the Omni‑Automations directory, view the source code for each automation, and install the desired plug‑in with a single click. The process may require enabling scripts from external applications, a standard security setting on Apple platforms.
Early Automation Examples
Two early automations illustrate the potential of the AI integration. “Help Me Plan” analyzes a single task in the inbox and automatically generates a series of subtasks, such as research, drafting, and finalizing. While the generated steps may not match every user’s preferred workflow, they provide a useful starting point for breaking down larger projects. The “Clipboard Events” automation converts any text copied to the clipboard into one or more tasks, complete with descriptions and due dates, helping users quickly capture actionable items from blocks of information.
Both automations operate without requiring users to understand the underlying AI mechanics. OmniGroup provides thorough documentation, including videos that explain how the automations interact with Apple’s Intelligence APIs and how users can customize or create their own plug‑ins. The source code for each automation is openly available, allowing power users to review and modify the scripts as needed.
Future Outlook
OmniGroup positions this AI rollout as an early step—more like “ignition” than “liftoff”—in a broader vision of invisible, user‑controlled AI across its suite of apps, including OmniPlanner and OmniGraffle. By keeping AI functionality behind optional automations rather than overt UI elements, the company hopes to set a precedent for how productivity tools can incorporate machine intelligence without compromising privacy or user experience.