Apple Plans AI Siri Overhaul with OpenAI, Anthropic for 2026

Apple is undertaking a major overhaul of its virtual assistant Siri, aiming to integrate advanced AI technologies from leading providers such as OpenAI and Anthropic to significantly improve its capabilities. This strategic pivot involves testing versions of third-party language models on Apple's cloud infrastructure alongside continued internal development of their own AI system known as "LLM Siri." The planned release of this revamped Siri, initially targeted for 2025, has been delayed to 2026 or later due to technical challenges. This move marks a notable shift for Apple, traditionally reliant on in-house technology, as it seeks to catch up with competitors like Google, Amazon, and OpenAI, whose AI assistants currently offer more sophisticated, context-aware, and responsive interactions. Industry observers note that Siri has lagged behind in recent years, with Apple acknowledging quality issues in its recent iterations, but the integration of these external AI models could transform Siri into a more intuitive and predictive assistant that better anticipates user needs. Overall, Apple’s renewed focus on AI partnerships and innovation signals a significant effort to reclaim leadership in the virtual assistant market.