Apple Faces Challenges in Enhancing Siri’s AI Capabilities
Apple is reportedly encountering significant hurdles in upgrading its Siri assistant to match the impressive capabilities showcased during the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2024. According to recent reports, the tech giant aims to roll out an initial set of artificial intelligence (AI) features for Siri by May. However, this version is expected to fall short of the expectations set during the demo, with a fully realized version not anticipated until the release of iOS 20 in 2027.
Apple’s AI-Powered Siri Could Be Available With iOS 20
In a recent Power-On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman highlighted that Apple’s current AI features have not resonated well with users. Internal company data suggests that the usage of these features is “extremely low,” primarily due to their non-essential nature and the absence of advanced functionalities like the anticipated AI-driven Siri. Apple is reportedly working to introduce a new set of AI capabilities for Siri by May, which will combine existing legacy features with new AI-driven functionalities.
This upcoming version of Siri is designed to utilize user data more effectively and integrate with various applications to perform complex tasks. However, Gurman warns that the initial rollout may not function seamlessly due to the separate systems powering Siri’s legacy and AI features. Apple plans to unify these systems and develop a new architecture for Siri, but this integration will not be ready for this year. The initial timeline suggested a release in the spring of 2026 as part of the iOS 19.4 update, but delays could push this back to June 2026.
Internally referred to as “LLM Siri,” this new system aims to enhance Siri’s conversational abilities significantly. Gurman indicates that achieving the level of performance demonstrated at WWDC will require the full implementation of this system, which is expected to coincide with the launch of iOS 20 in 2027. Meanwhile, iOS 19 is unlikely to introduce any major updates to Apple Intelligence for end-users, as the company is focusing its resources on delivering features announced last year.
Leadership Changes and Future Implications
To accelerate the development of Siri and its AI features, Apple has recently reassigned Kim Vorrath, a seasoned software executive, to its AI and machine learning division. Vorrath previously led software development for the Vision Pro, and her expertise is expected to bolster Apple’s AI initiatives. However, the ongoing challenges in enhancing Siri could jeopardize the position of John Giannandrea, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Machine Learning and AI Strategy. Giannandrea, who previously held a senior engineering role at Google, may face scrutiny as the company navigates these difficulties.
As Apple strives to improve Siri’s capabilities, the tech community will be watching closely to see how these developments unfold. The company’s commitment to integrating advanced AI features into Siri reflects its broader strategy to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. With significant updates on the horizon, Apple faces the challenge of meeting user expectations while delivering innovative solutions in the realm of artificial intelligence.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.