Apple Overhauls Siri with Artificial Intelligence Features

Apple announced significant updates to its virtual assistant, Siri, during its annual technology event, the Worldwide Developers Conference. The overhaul includes the addition of artificial intelligence features and a name change to Siri AI.

Executives showcased how the revamped assistant can perform various everyday tasks, such as finding the date of a concert, shopping for a backpack, or planning a soccer watch party. This marks the largest update to Siri since Apple acquired and integrated the voice assistant into its devices in 2011, bringing Siri AI in direct competition with contemporary AI assistants like ChatGPT.

“Siri is now a profoundly more capable assistant that helps you find what you need and gets more done,” said Mike Rockwell, Apple’s vice president responsible for Siri engineering, in a keynote video.

Rockwell highlighted that Siri AI would leverage a broad spectrum of information sources, including data within the device and the open web, to efficiently answer queries and complete tasks.

Beyond Siri AI, Apple introduced a new generation of software improvements across its platforms, such as iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS, as well as powerful parental controls.

The move into AI chatbots contrasts with some consumer hesitancies about how quickly AI is being integrated into products and services. For instance, Microsoft recently withdrew AI features from Xbox systems. However, the popularity of AI chatbots persists, as evidenced by download numbers; OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, and Google Gemini all ranked among the top applications on Apple’s app marketplace.

Apple’s new Siri AI faces competition and collaboration with companies like Google. A partnership with Google, announced earlier this year, will utilize Google’s Gemini to help enhance Siri. However, Apple’s adoption of AI features has progressed more slowly compared to other tech giants. In 2024, two years post-ChatGPT release, Apple allowed integration with ChatGPT within Siri, though the partnership became strained, with OpenAI allegedly considering legal action against Apple.

Apple executives underscored specific advantages of Siri AI, such as its ability to access information across the device. Users can search photos, text messages, and create reminders and calendar events more efficiently than with third-party AI assistants.

“Because it’s built right into the keyboard, you can use it across the system,” Rockwell noted, “whether you’re texting the group chat while you’re on the subway or thinking out loud while using your journaling app.”

The company website highlighted further use cases, like seeking sightseeing tips or advice on running-related stretches, and coming up with creative nicknames.

Siri AI is scheduled for release later this year on iPhones, iPads, and Macs in English initially, and will expand to other languages. It won’t be available immediately in the EU or China due to regulatory considerations.