Revamped AI assistant could debut in early 2026 – AppleInsider

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Sun Aug 03 2025, 10:04 AM EDT · 1 minute read
A forthcoming Siri will be better able to leverage built-in services to assist user queries.
Apple has formed a new Answers, Knowledge and Information team of engineers to develop in-house AI services, including a new Siri search experience similar to ChatGPT.
In addition to existing Apple staff, the company is now actively recruiting for engineers with search algorithm and engine development, according to Bloomberg.
While the structure of the Answers, Knowledge and Information (AKI) team is new, the goal of a revamped Siri has been ongoing: a long-awaited updated version with more contextual understanding, based on a new large language model (LLM) engine.
This has included speculation that it could be in talks with Anthropic or OpenAI. These technologies would presumably be used to bolster the back-end engine of an AI-powered Siri.

The goal is to dissuade users from leveraging rival services, ranging from ChatGPT to traditional text-based search engines like Google. The Siri team has also been previously reported to be considering several options for quickly revamping its search engine.
Earlier reports have intimated that this revamped Siri experience could debut in the first half of 2026. This makeover would also incorporate the previously-planned “app intent” technology, which integrates an app’s content and actions into Siri, Spotlight, and other built-in technology.
It has been previously suggested that — in addition to an improved Siri — Apple could develop a separate app or service called “Knowledge.” This proposed app is said to work more like chatbots such as ChatGPT, and function as an always-on service that is activated through routine conversation.
The AKI group is led by senior AI director Robby Walker, reporting to John Giannandrea. Siri development is now headed by Mike Rockwell, Apple’s chief of Vision Pro development, so that Giannandrea can focus solely on completing the AI engine before an expected retirement.
This reshuffling of management of the AI division has resulted in some rearrangement and new hires of talent within the division. Apple has dramatically increased spending and recruiting of more talent in an effort to accelerate its AI development goals.
Apple’s AI team has been advertising for still more members, saying in ads that its work “fuels intuitive information experiences across some of Apple’s most iconic products — including Siri, Spotlight, Safari, Messages, Lookup, and more.”
Charles Martin is a Contributing Editor for AppleInsider with over a decade of experience covering Apple, and produces the AppleInsider Daily podcast. He is a writer, performer, podcaster, and broadcaster, specializin…
Hopefully this is not just a distraction from or an addition to the disinformation at the iPhone 16 presentation in 2024. Also could be the only “big” new thing next month as we see the usual claims of all new device using last years enclosure, etc. But there will be “new” colors…..

ApplePoor said:

Hopefully this is not just a distraction from or an addition to the disinformation at the iPhone 16 presentation in 2024. Also could be the only “big” new thing next month as we see the usual claims of all new device using last years enclosure, etc. But there will be “new” colors…..

Distraction? Nope, they’ve been developing this for years. Disinformation? Nope, Apple launched everything it announced, but delayed one product that was operational, but hallucinating more than they like. Last year’s enclosure? Nope, we’re getting all-new enclosures with camera bars and a new ultra thin model.

i recommend reading AppleInsider to keep up with all the news 😉

ApplePoor said:

Hopefully this is not just a distraction from or an addition to the disinformation at the iPhone 16 presentation in 2024.

Its 2025. Get over it or get an android. 
The only way this can possibly work is if there is no delay when using Siri to question something. It’s incredibly slow at the moment… So slow I won’t use it. I would much rather use the chat GTP app or Grok.

Wesley_Hilliard said:

ApplePoor said:

Hopefully this is not just a distraction from or an addition to the disinformation at the iPhone 16 presentation in 2024. Also could be the only “big” new thing next month as we see the usual claims of all new device using last years enclosure, etc. But there will be “new” colors…..

Disinformation? Nope, Apple launched everything it announced, but delayed one product that was operational, but hallucinating more than they like. 

Oh, c’mon, Wesley–you know this statement, while technically “true,” is also disingenuous. The revamped Siri with contextual awareness was THE marquee feature, BY FAR, of Apple’s announced AI efforts at WWDC 2024. I’m pretty sure no one would have cared if it was Image Playground that had been delayed. And as far as “delayed because it was hallucinating more than they’d like” — yes, that’s the official Apple party line, except that kind of fix doesn’t push your delivery date out by as much as 21 months! Because all Apple is promising right now is delivery by end of 2026. That was the tricky part of their announcement in March that they anticipated rolling out the new Siri features “within the coming year.” Well, since we’re in 2025, “the coming year” would be 2026, so it could be anytime within that year. 
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