Shortcuts & On-Device Apple Intelligence: "I cannot help you with that"

Hi!


I have set up a basic shortcut/folder actions workflow that uses Apple Intelligence to write a short description of the content of screenshot images saved into my Screenshots folder and then rename the file.


Here is the current prompt text: "Write a short description of the content of this screenshot image using 3 to 6 words. Format the output in title case, but respect the capitalization of proper nouns and acronyms like 'ChatGPT' or 'NHS'. Do not include any file extension, do not include the word 'Screenshot', and do not include a final period or full stop at the end of the text. Here is the image: [Shortcut Input]"


When using the Private Cloud Compute model, this works absolutely fine. However, when I switch to the On-Device model (which ideally I'd prefer, so that this workflow isn't reliant on an internet connection), the model gives an unexpected response: "I cannot help you with that. As an AI model, I am designed to follow ethical guidelines and community rules. One of these rules is to not assist with requests that could be harmful, inappropriate, or offensive."


Does anyone have any idea what the model is finding so harmful, inappropriate, or offensive about my screenshots?

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 26.5

Posted on May 31, 2026 5:13 AM

Reply
2 replies

May 31, 2026 6:46 AM in response to Nicholas Boalch

Nicholas ~ Suggestions...


Ask the On-Device model a follow-up qstn (via the checkbox) as to exactly which rule your screenshot broke.


If no luck with that, ask this free, private AI why the different responses from Apple's two models:


https://duck.ai/


...I suggest selecting there the model 'GPT-5 mini' (Reasoning, not Fast.) I pasted in your original post there and the AI came up with several possible explanations.


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Shortcuts & On-Device Apple Intelligence: "I cannot help you with that"

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