How to Get AI in Every Mac App: System-Wide AI Guide
Apple Intelligence only works in a few apps. Here is how to get AI assistance in Chrome, Slack, VS Code, and every other app on your Mac.
You have probably noticed that Apple Intelligence does not work in most apps. You open Chrome, and there is no AI. You switch to Slack, nothing. VS Code, Terminal, Notion, Discord, all without AI assistance. This is not a bug. It is how Apple designed it.
Apple Intelligence requires apps to specifically integrate it. Most third-party apps have not done this, and many never will. So how do you get AI in every app on your Mac? The answer is system-wide AI.
What is System-Wide AI?
System-wide AI works at the operating system level, not the app level. Instead of requiring each app to integrate AI, it provides AI assistance anywhere you can select text. Chrome, Slack, VS Code, Terminal, PDF viewers, Word documents, any app works.
Ahsk is the leading system-wide AI for Mac. Once installed, you select text in any application, and AI assistance appears. No browser extensions. No app-by-app setup. It just works everywhere.
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
Getting system-wide AI on your Mac takes about two minutes. Here is how:
Step 1: Download Ahsk
Go to ahsk.app and click the download button. The app is free to start with 50 credits included. No credit card required.
Step 2: Install the App
Open the downloaded DMG file. Drag Ahsk to your Applications folder. Launch the app from Applications or Spotlight.
Step 3: Grant Accessibility Permissions
Ahsk needs accessibility permissions to read selected text across apps. macOS will prompt you to enable this in System Settings. Click "Open System Settings" and toggle on Ahsk. This is the same permission screen readers and other productivity apps use.
Step 4: Select Text Anywhere
That is it. Now go to any app on your Mac. Select some text. A small menu appears with AI options. Click to ask questions, translate, rewrite, or summarize. AI now works in every app.
Get AI in Every App
Download Ahsk and get system-wide AI on your Mac. Works in Chrome, Slack, VS Code, Terminal, and every other app. Free to start.
Download for FreeWhat You Can Do with System-Wide AI
Once Ahsk is installed, here are the AI features available in every app:
Ask Questions About Selected Text
Reading an article in Chrome and confused about a concept? Select the text and ask AI to explain it. Reviewing code in VS Code? Select a function and ask what it does. Reading a legal document? Select a clause and ask for a plain English explanation. AI understands context and gives relevant answers.
Translate to 50+ Languages
Select any text in any app, click translate, choose your language. The translation appears instantly. This works for emails in Gmail, messages in Slack, articles in Safari, documents in Word, anywhere. No switching to Google Translate.
Rewrite Text
Select text and rewrite it to be more professional, casual, concise, or elaborate. Perfect for emails where you want to strike the right tone, documentation that needs to be clearer, or messages that sound too harsh. The original text is replaced with the improved version.
Voice Dictation Under 250ms
Speak instead of type in any app. Ahsk voice dictation responds in under 400 milliseconds, the fastest available. It also understands technical vocabulary, making it perfect for developers dictating code or terminal commands.
Screenshot Analysis
Capture any part of your screen and ask AI questions about what you see. Useful for debugging error messages, understanding complex interfaces, or getting help with visual content.
Apps Where System-Wide AI Works
Unlike Apple Intelligence, Ahsk works in every Mac application. Here are some examples of where you can use it:
| Category | Apps |
|---|---|
| Browsers | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Arc, Brave, Edge |
| Communication | Slack, Discord, Teams, Messages, WhatsApp, Telegram |
| Code Editors | VS Code, Xcode, Sublime Text, IntelliJ, Cursor |
| Note Taking | Notion, Obsidian, Bear, Apple Notes, Evernote |
| Gmail (web), Apple Mail, Outlook, Spark | |
| Documents | Google Docs, Word, Pages, PDF viewers |
| Terminal | Terminal, iTerm, Warp, command line tools |
Why Apple Intelligence Does Not Work Everywhere
Apple made a design choice to require apps to integrate Apple Intelligence individually. This gives Apple control over the experience and ensures quality, but it means most apps will never support it. Chrome, Slack, VS Code, and other third-party apps would need to build specific integrations, which most have not done.
System-wide AI like Ahsk takes a different approach. By working at the text selection level, it provides AI assistance without requiring any app integration. This is why it works in every app from day one.
System Requirements
Ahsk works on any Mac running macOS 12 (Monterey) or later. This includes both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. Unlike Apple Intelligence, which requires an M1 chip or newer, Ahsk runs on older hardware too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get AI in Chrome on Mac?
Download Ahsk, which works at the system level. Once installed, select any text in Chrome and get AI assistance instantly. No extension needed.
Does Apple Intelligence work in all Mac apps?
No. Apple Intelligence only works in select apps like Mail, Notes, and Pages. For AI in Chrome, Slack, VS Code, and other apps, you need a system-wide AI tool like Ahsk.
What is the best system-wide AI for Mac?
Ahsk is the best system-wide AI for Mac. It works in every application, offers voice dictation under 250ms, translation in 50+ languages, and is free to start.
How do I use AI in VS Code on Mac?
With Ahsk installed, select any code or text in VS Code and get AI assistance. You can ask questions about code, rewrite documentation, or use voice dictation to code hands-free.
