Apple is set to launch a major Siri update in March with an AI-powered “answer engine” that can access personal data, interpret on-screen content, and compete with AI search tools like ChatGPT, integrating across iOS and other Apple platforms. Future plans include a Health Plus AI agent, a redesigned Siri, and a conversational Siri embedded in a new robotic home device, with Apple likely using Google’s Gemini AI model to power these advancements.
Apple is preparing to launch a revamped version of Siri around March, introducing significant new features including an AI-powered web search tool described as an “answer engine.” Unlike the current Siri, which can handle basic queries and control phone functions but struggles to pull and distill information from the open web, this new tool aims to compete with AI search engines like Perplexity and ChatGPT. This update will be part of iOS 17.4 and is expected to integrate into other Apple platforms such as Safari and Spotlight over time.
The upcoming Siri overhaul will include the ability to access personal data to answer queries, a feature surprisingly absent since Siri’s launch 15 years ago. Users will be able to ask questions like “Who did I meet with last month?” or “What song did Ed text me last week?” Additionally, Siri will gain the capability to interpret on-screen content and provide voice-based navigation to control the phone and apps more intuitively. These enhancements are designed to make Siri a more powerful and personalized assistant.
Beyond the March update, Apple plans to introduce a Health Plus subscription service later in the year, which will act as a health-focused AI agent. A visual redesign of Siri is also expected next year, followed by the launch of a conversational Siri integrated into a new robotic home device, described as a tabletop robot. This device will serve as a virtual assistant in users’ workspaces, helping with daily tasks and further expanding Siri’s functionality.
A key aspect of this development is the underlying AI technology powering the new Siri. Apple has been in talks with major AI companies including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google to source or build the foundational models. Recent indications suggest Apple is leaning towards using Google’s Gemini model, following a formal evaluation agreement signed between the two companies. While Anthropic remains a contender, its high cost—over $1.5 billion annually—makes it less attractive to Apple, which values its longstanding partnership with Google.
Overall, Apple’s strategy reflects a significant shift in how it approaches AI and search technology, aiming to reduce reliance on traditional search engines like Google Search, which currently generates substantial revenue for Apple. By integrating advanced AI capabilities directly into Siri and across its ecosystem, Apple hopes to stay competitive in the evolving landscape where users increasingly prefer AI-driven conversational search tools. The rollout of these features starting in March marks a major step in this direction.