Apple will usher in a massive revamp for Siri with iOS 18 powered by generative artificial intelligence. The planned AI-powered Siri revamp will represent a cornerstone of Apple’s efforts in the nascent technology, reports The New York Times.
Apple decided to revamp Siri early last year following a period of extensive testing of ChatGPT by Craig Federighi and John Giannandrea, the company’s AI strategy chief. Apple internally decided that ChatGPT’s abilities made Siri look “antiquated” in comparison, urging what insiders describe as a “brain transplant” for Apple’s virtual assistant.
Siri’s overhaul is part of a larger refocus within Apple on AI that prompted a reorganization of the company’s resources for AI development. Apple hopes to catch up to Google and OpenAI once it unveils its AI capabilities at WWDC 2024, and Siri will be at the forefront of the company’s announcements. Apple will also increase the RAM capacity on this year’s iPhone 16 lineup to better support on-device AI features.
By incorporating a generative AI system under the hood, Siri will reportedly be “more conversational and versatile” while dramatically improving existing functionality like setting timers, managing calendar entries, and adding items to reminder lists. Siri will also gain the ability to summarize text messages. Apple will also tout the privacy of the new Siri since most requests will be processed on-device, though local AI models run a higher risk of returning inaccurate answers.
Apple’s sense of urgency with AI stems from its fears that the iPhone could be perceived as a “dumb brick” due to its current lack of AI features. Apple also feels the threat of AI apps or “agents” could leave a serious dent in its $24 billion a year App Store business. An AI-first operating system could one day replace iOS as a whole if Apple doesn’t act fast enough, further adding to the company’s determination to prove its seriousness about AI.
Siri will be one of many initiatives that Apple has in store to bring AI across its devices and services. Apple is significantly investing in new data centers equipped with servers powered by high-end Apple silicon chips, powering cloud-processed AI features on iOS 18. The company is also close to finalizing an agreement with OpenAI that would see ChatGPT present in some capacity on the iPhone’s upcoming software update.
WWDC 2024 kicks off on Monday, June 10 when iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15, watchOS 11, and visionOS 2 are expected to be announced. Beta testing for all the new updates will last throughout the summer until they’re released to the public in the fall and later in the year.
