The key highlight from Apple’s recent WWDC event was the anticipated evolution of Siri in the AI era. While some enticing features were announced, many are still not available to the public, and what has been released does not significantly advance the technology.
Despite the hurdles, the future appears more promising, with hope on the horizon.
As reported by Bloomberg, Apple is diligently developing an advanced language model version of Siri that will enable more natural and complex conversations.
Large Language Models, commonly referred to as LLMs, are instrumental in powering conversational AI technologies found in platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. Apple’s vision for LLM Siri aligns closely with these models, as they aim to deliver a similarly intuitive user experience.
“The new Siri will incorporate innovative AI models to interact in a more human-like manner,” the report states, with an announcement expected sometime in 2025 and a public rollout projected for spring 2026.
This timeline may seem slow, particularly as users can already leverage enhanced features through Siri’s integration with ChatGPT in certain iOS test versions.
In contrast, Google has released the standalone Gemini app for iPhones, featuring its Live conversation mode. This raises an important question: Why the lengthy wait when competing products are already available to users?
Additionally, Apple is set to support various third-party language models, including ChatGPT, as part of its Apple Intelligence platform. According to Bloomberg, integration with Google’s Gemini is already on the agenda.
Apple’s efforts to stay competitive in the virtual assistant landscape seem to be lagging. Google has already transitioned many functions of Google Assistant to Gemini, achieving significant integration with tools like Gmail and Docs that offer users substantial benefits.
Meanwhile, OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Search, enhancing the way users discover information online, making it a more conversational experience compared to traditional search engines. Furthermore, they are working on a web browsing feature and expanding their offerings with new search and shopping tools.
The upcoming LLM Siri upgrade is anticipated to allow interaction with apps more effectively. “It will also make greater use of App Intents, which will enable more precise control over third-party applications,” the Bloomberg report adds.
Enabling Siri to perform tasks across various apps has long been a goal for users. This capability now appears to be on the horizon, although it remains over a year away. However, Apple is not alone in this endeavor.
As noted by Android Authority, Android 16, which is currently available in a Developer Preview, indicates that Gemini may soon allow task executions across third-party apps, currently limited to Workspace applications like Gmail and Docs.
While Apple is making positive strides with its plans for LLM Siri, by the time these advancements materialize, competitors might have significantly moved ahead with their proven conversational AI capabilities.
