Apple is overhauling Siri into a more advanced AI chatbot by integrating Google’s Gemini AI model, aiming to offer features like web search, deeper device integration, and improved app control. This upgrade, expected by the end of the year, will help Siri better compete with leading AI assistants from OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft.
Apple is planning a major overhaul of Siri, transforming it into a more advanced AI chatbot. This move marks a significant shift for Apple, which has previously resisted the chatbot approach taken by competitors like OpenAI, Google (with Gemini), and Microsoft (with Copilot). The growing popularity of generative AI chatbots, which now have nearly a billion monthly active users, has made it clear that Apple needs to adapt in order to meet consumer expectations and remain competitive in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
The revamped Siri will be much more capable than its current iteration, incorporating features such as web search and deep integration with Apple devices. This will allow users to control specific apps and features more precisely, making Siri a more powerful and useful assistant. The update is expected to launch by the end of the year, positioning Siri to better compete with leading AI chatbots from other tech giants.
A key factor enabling this transformation is Apple’s partnership with Google to use the Gemini AI model. Although Apple has been developing its own internal models for Siri and Apple Intelligence, delays and technical challenges have prevented these from being ready for market. By leveraging Google’s Gemini, Apple can accelerate the rollout of its next-generation Siri and avoid the risk of launching a subpar product.
In the coming months, Apple will release a new version of Siri that incorporates features announced at its 2024 developer conference. These include the ability to access personal data, understand what’s on the user’s screen, and provide more precise control over applications and the operating system. This version will use a custom Gemini model blended with Apple’s internal models, running on Apple’s own servers.
However, to achieve the full functionality required to compete with OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft, Apple is considering running the Gemini model on Google’s cloud platform and CPUs. This represents a significant change in Apple’s approach, as it has traditionally prioritized running AI models on its own infrastructure. By embracing Google’s cloud services, Apple aims to deliver a more powerful and competitive AI assistant to its users.