Finally accessible to everyone
Shortcuts has existed for years, but the number of users who actually build complex automations has remained low. The reason is simple: assembling a sequence of actions requires logic, patience and familiarity with the app's mental model. Apple has decided to eliminate that friction with 'Describe a Shortcut', a feature that lets you create an automation by simply describing what you want in plain language.
The example shown during the keynote is concrete and telling: the user types 'When I leave work, message Pedro I'm on my way with my ETA', and Shortcuts automatically assembles location detection, ETA calculation and message sending. According to Fox Business, Apple also demonstrated an iPad connected to a Magic Keyboard that automatically opens a set of productivity apps in a specific window arrangement.
A feature that works on Mac too
BGR and Digit.in confirm the feature is present on iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate. On Mac, Apple's cited example involves setting a different alarm each evening based on the first Calendar event the following day — a task that would have required several manual steps. The intelligence is on-device for assembly instructions, though the underlying language models draw on Apple Foundation Models infrastructure.
The risk, as always with AI features of this type, is that results may be imprecise in edge cases. But for common automations, 'Describe a Shortcut' could finally turn Shortcuts from an enthusiast tool into a feature used by the majority.