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.
To get AI in every Mac app, use a tool that works at the system level instead of inside one app. Ahsk is one: install it, allow microphone and accessibility access, and it works in any app with a text cursor. Hold fn to dictate, or select text to ask, rewrite or translate. Setup takes a couple of minutes, and the first 10,000 words are free.
Why Apple Intelligence Is Not in Every App
Apple Intelligence requires apps to integrate it. Most third-party apps have not, so you open Chrome, Slack, VS Code, Terminal, Notion or Discord and find no AI there. This is not a bug. It is how Apple designed it. System-wide AI works at the operating system level instead: rather than waiting for each app to add support, it works wherever you can type or select text. That covers browsers, chat apps, code editors, PDF viewers and Word documents alike.
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
Getting system-wide AI on your Mac takes a couple of minutes:
- Download Ahsk from ahsk.app. The first 10,000 words are free. No credit card required.
- Install it. Open the DMG, drag Ahsk to your Applications folder, and launch it from Applications or Spotlight.
- Sign in and grant permissions. Ahsk asks for microphone access to hear you and accessibility access to type at the cursor and read the text you select. macOS shows both prompts; click "Open System Settings" and switch Ahsk on. Screen readers and other productivity apps use the same accessibility permission.
- Use it anywhere. Put the cursor in any app, hold fn and speak. Or select some text and a small bar offers Ask, Rewrite, Copy, Translate and Search.
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
Dictate Instead of Typing
Hold fn and speak; release and the text lands at the cursor. Tap fn instead to go hands-free. Ahsk transcribes with Whisper large-v3 in the cloud, then a second model adds punctuation, removes filler words and applies a voice mode such as Informal, Formal or Mail. A personal dictionary keeps names and jargon spelled right. Unlike the Mac's built-in Dictation, which can run on device, Ahsk needs an internet connection.
Ask, Rewrite and Translate
Select text in any app and ask about it: a concept in a Chrome article, a function in VS Code, a clause in a contract. Rewrite a harsh Slack message or a stiff email in another tone, and the original is replaced with the new version. Translate an email, a message or a document into 50+ languages without opening Google Translate. You can also translate while you speak with fn + Shift, or ask the AI a question by voice with fn + Control.
Apps Where System-Wide AI Works
Ahsk works in any app with a text cursor. Some examples:
| 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 |
System Requirements
Ahsk runs on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. Apple Intelligence, by comparison, needs a Mac with M1 or later and at least 12 GB of unified memory. Because Ahsk transcribes in the cloud, it needs an internet connection, and your audio is not stored on its servers or used for training. The same account also works in the Windows app and the iPhone keyboard, with Pro at €9.99/month covering all three.
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 a good system-wide AI for Mac?
Ahsk works in any Mac app with a text cursor. It offers voice dictation cleaned up by AI, translation into 50+ languages, and questions about selected text. The first 10,000 words are free.
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.
