Apple is overhauling its artificial intelligence (AI) voice assistant Siri into a conversational chatbot similar to ChatGPT. Bloomberg News reported on the 21st, citing sources, that Apple plans to include a new Siri with chatbot capabilities in the next iPhone, iPad and Mac operating systems (OS).
When the overhaul, code-named "Campos," is complete, users will be able to summon Siri by voice or the side button as before, while interacting in a context-aware conversational format that moves between text and voice. It is said the input and responses will switch back and forth between text and voice. Apple plans to unveil the features at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June and is pushing to apply them to iOS, iPadOS and macOS 27, slated for release in September.
The shift in direction also contrasts with Apple's previous stance. Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president, said in an interview in June last year that the company "did not want users to move to a separate chat environment to process functions." However, as OpenAI, Google and smartphone makers including Samsung Electronics accelerate the trend of integrating Conversational AI across their OS, observers say Apple had little choice but to revise its strategy.
Apple put forward "Apple Intelligence" in 2024, but performance controversy and delays in features led to a change in the executive in charge. Some delayed features are expected to be reflected in iOS 26.4 within a few months. Amid assessments that Apple has fallen behind in the race for in-house AI models, reports have continued that the company recently adopted Google's Gemini as the foundational AI for the iPhone.
Meanwhile, The Information reported that Apple is also developing an AI pin that can be attached to clothing and other items. The concept is a coin-shaped device about the size of an AirTag, equipped with a camera, speaker and microphone, to record users' daily lives or support interactions. The device is expected to compete with an audio-based AI device that OpenAI is reportedly preparing. The launch timing and detailed features may change.