Apple gears up to enhance Siri with ChatGPT-like features – Bloomberg
In an effort to elevate its digital assistant to new heights, Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL). is actively developing an enhanced version of Siri that promises more natural, conversational interactions, akin to the capabilities seen in OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Bloomberg News reported. This initiative, which remains under wraps, involves the implementation of sophisticated large language models (LLMs) to enable dynamic, back-and-forth dialogues. The revamped Siri is designed to process complex inquiries more swiftly and is part of Apple’s broader ambition to assert its presence in the artificial intelligence (AI) domain.
Last month, Apple introduced its Apple Intelligence platform, which, despite its fanfare, still trails behind the functionalities available from other tech industry leaders. The advanced voice assistant, internally referred to as “LLM Siri” by the Apple team, is expected to be integrated into the Apple Intelligence suite. LLMs, which are foundational to generative AI, analyze vast data sets to recognize patterns and respond to questions.
Apple is currently testing the updated Siri software across various devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs, through a standalone app. This technology is set to eventually supplant the existing Siri interface. Plans indicate that Apple may unveil the revamped system as part of the iOS 19 and macOS 16 updates, codenamed Luck and Cheer, as early as 2025.
The new Siri will not debut with next year’s hardware lineup but is projected for a consumer release around the spring of 2026. However, the specifics regarding the launch timeline and features are subject to change, as the announcement is still several months away.
Apple’s spokesperson opted not to comment on the developments.
The next iteration of Siri will leverage new Apple AI models to deliver a more human-like interaction and task management, drawing comparisons to ChatGPT and Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL)’s Gemini. It will also expand the use of App Intents for more nuanced third-party app control and incorporate functionalities from Apple Intelligence, such as text writing and summarization capabilities.
Despite branding its AI platform as the dawn of a new Siri era in June, Apple’s initial updates were largely aesthetic. These included a new interface and the addition of typing as an alternative to voice commands. The forthcoming iOS 18 will introduce further enhancements, allowing Siri to utilize customer data for contextual command responses and to determine if requests should be processed by the existing Siri system or a secondary LLM for more intricate tasks.
The next-gen LLM in iOS 19 will establish a complete system with advanced, ChatGPT-like features. In the meantime, Apple plans to integrate ChatGPT into Apple Intelligence next month and later introduce additional chatbot options, such as Gemini. The goal for the new Siri is to incorporate these capabilities internally while prioritizing user privacy, though Apple may continue to offer third-party AI systems for specialized functions.
Recent job postings from Apple suggest an increased focus on developing a more conversational Siri. These listings indicate a search for expertise in conversational AI interfaces, reflecting Apple’s longstanding aspiration to enhance Siri’s interactive abilities. The Siri interaction team, now under the leadership of Alan Dye, Apple’s vice president of human interface design, has transitioned from the AI division to the software interface group to further these efforts.
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