Apple's voice assistant Siri has been around for over 13 years, but it has struggled to keep pace with newer, smarter AI systems such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. Recognizing the competitive pressure, Apple is reportedly working on transforming Siri by powering it with advanced large language models (LLMs). The goal is to create what insiders are calling 'LLM Siri,' which aims to deliver more natural, conversational interactions and handle complex requests more efficiently.
According to prominent reports from Bloomberg and other tech news outlets, the revamped Siri will be unveiled alongside iOS 19 and macOS 16, with expectations set for official announcements during the upcoming WWDC 2025. The actual launch is anticipated to occur by spring 2026, making this overhaul part of Apple’s long-term strategy to catch up to its competitors in the AI space.
Mark Gurman from Bloomberg detailed how this new iteration of Siri is not merely cosmetic. It’s centered around utilizing LLM technology to enable back-and-forth conversations between Siri and users, somewhat resembling the interactions seen with other advanced AI assistants. This significant upgrade aligns with Apple’s broader initiative to deepen its commitment to AI, which saw the debut of its Apple Intelligence platform recently. That initial rollout was met with some criticism for lacking the breadth of features offered by other tech giants.
Some of the key enhancements expected with LLM Siri include more sophisticated handling of tasks, the ability to write and summarize text on demand, and more precise control over third-party applications through features known as App Intents. This is aimed at making Siri not just reactive but proactive and capable of managing multiple commands seamlessly.
During the initial phase, Apple plans to integrate ChatGPT capabilities within Siri as part of its iOS 18.2 update, which is set to launch on December 9, 2024. While this might temporarily bolster Siri's capabilities, industry analysts suggest it may pave the way for Siri's transition to fully autonomous LLM capabilities by the time iOS 19 rolls out.
Siri's limitations have become increasingly apparent as consumer expectations for AI assistants continue to grow. Compared to the snappy responsiveness of ChatGPT and the contextual awareness exhibited by Google’s Gemini, Siri has felt somewhat stagnant. Apple's top brass, including CEO Tim Cook, has acknowledged the need for substantial innovation, remarking on the transformation of Siri as part of marking “the beginning of a new chapter for Apple innovation.”
Craig Federighi, Apple's Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, has stated firmly, "While there may be similarities between Siri and OpenAI’s models, they are fundamentally different, aimed at performing practical tasks efficiently.” This comment emphasizes Apple’s intent to tailor Siri’s capabilities more around utility and direct applications, contrasting with the more general conversational AI focus seen with other platforms.
With the growing competition from companies innovatively applying AI to improve user experiences, the spotlight is now on whether Apple's ambitious plans for LLM Siri will materialize successfully. The development of LLM Siri appears to be more than just catching up. It aims to leapfrog many of the features currently defining competitive offerings from other companies by emphasizing both enhanced performance and user privacy, which remains one of Apple’s core selling points.
Apple has consistently maintained its stance on user privacy as it integrates machine learning techniques and AI capabilities. This commitment could be particularly appealing for users who are wary about their data being exploited by larger AI platforms. With LLM Siri, Apple is expected to showcase its LLM-driven features, allowing users to interact with the digital assistant without compromising privacy.
Insiders report Apple has been testing the new version of Siri through separate applications on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. The broad functionality updates hint at significant behind-the-scenes engineering efforts to make Siri responsive, intuitive, and capable of engaging users meaningfully. The software is currently being iterated upon with selected teams, focusing on seamless utilization of the LLMs across various tasks.
This strategic push by Apple aims not only to overhaul Siri but also to establish its presence firmly within the rapidly changing AI marketplace. While the integration of ChatGPT features signals Apple's intent to immediately address current feature gaps, long-term success may hinge on how well it can differentiate its new LLM-powered assistant from entrenched competitors. They'll need to demonstrate superior models capable of not just reacting to queries but anticipating user needs.
Future updates are also set to allow Siri to manage and understand personal contexts, which will refine its capabilities even more. This could pave the way for Siri to become ingrained as part of the user experience across Apple devices, enhancing both utility and satisfaction for end-users.
For Apple, this transformation to LLM Siri is seen as integral not just to countering competitors, but also potentially as part of sparking what many are calling necessary AI upgrades across all platforms. The spotlight is well and truly on Apple as it approaches this pivotal moment—one where the success or failure of LLM Siri could shape the narrative around the company’s innovation velocity and adaptability. With initial ChatGPT integrations just around the corner and significant new features on the horizon, the tech world watches closely as Apple aims for its ambitious reset with Siri.
