Privacy implications of all-day ambient audio recording on Apple smart watch

This year Apple will launch all-day-listening AI-powered features to their new Apple Watch series, according to the company’s support document ( archived ) published on September 10, 2026. Apple calls it “Audio Intelligence,” which uses watch’s new S11 chip for two distinct use cases for audio transcription of the ambient audio throughout the day. This “always-on” AI recording tool feature on Apple Watches makes the tech giant’s entry into the niche AI-hardware category.