AI & Machine Learning
4d ago
Macs since 2022 include a system for building personal knowledge graphs
Nov 7, 2026
AI Summary
Since the release of macOS 13 in 2022, every Mac has included two daemons designed to create a personal knowledge graph about users and their relationships. This system compiles data from various applications and services, including Contacts and Calendar, to infer connections and behaviors, though little documentation exists on its operation.
- Every Mac running macOS 13 or later includes two daemons, knowledgeconstructiond and intelligenceplatformd, which work together to build a knowledge graph about the user and their contacts.
- The graph is constructed using data from multiple sources on the device, such as Contacts, Calendar, Photos, Messages, and location data, among others.
- The system uses behavioral signals and machine learning models to classify relationships, including family ties, based on 144 features related to communication and shared experiences.
- The knowledge graph is stored in SQLite databases located in a protected directory on the Mac, with the most significant database being graph.db, which contains a structured representation of entities and their relationships.
- Users can access their personal knowledge graph through an open-source tool called iKnow, which allows them to view the data collected about them and their connections.
- The system is designed to retain information even after deletions, as retracted data is moved to a separate table, expired_stable_graph, which can still be accessed for a limited time.
- Concerns about privacy arise from the potential misuse of the knowledge graph, especially if it falls into the wrong hands, highlighting the importance of understanding how such systems operate.
macclassifierundocumentedfamilypersonalization