Grace Ashiru
Before being acquired by Apple in 2011, Siri was a standalone app designed to revolutionise the way users interacted with their iOS devices. Under Apple’s leadership, Siri became a trailblazer in voice assistant technology, setting a standard that inspired competitors like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
However, as AI technology evolved, Siri’s shortcomings became more evident, lagging behind competitors that delivered more conversational and versatile user experiences. To address this, Apple is now taking significant steps to reclaim its position in the market with a major update. According to a Bloomberg report, the company is working on “LLM Siri,” an advanced version powered by large language models.
Scheduled for release in Spring 2026, this new iteration aims to make Siri far more conversational and adept at handling complex tasks across multiple applications. For instance, users may soon be able to ask Siri to summarise email threads, draft responses, and seamlessly synchronise schedules. These features are designed to compete with the high benchmarks set by tools like ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode and Google’s Gemini Live. Additionally, Apple is reportedly planning a complete redesign of Siri’s interface, marking a bold and transformative shift in its AI strategy.
To bridge the gap until the update is ready, Apple is turning to third-party solutions. One notable move is the integration of OpenAI’s ChatGPT with Apple Intelligence, set to launch in December with iOS 18.2, providing iOS users with access to advanced conversational tools. Additionally, Apple is reportedly exploring collaborations with other AI providers, such as Google and Anthropic, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing Siri’s capabilities in the interim.
However, the challenges remain significant. Google has already embedded generative AI deeply into its ecosystem, delivering unmatched personalization and interactivity through platforms like Gemini. Meanwhile, Amazon’s Alexa continues to dominate in smart home applications, backed by robust integrations and a diverse feature set.
For Apple, the stakes extend beyond simply regaining lost ground. “LLM Siri” represents an opportunity to redefine how Siri’s approximately 660 million users interact with their devices in a world increasingly driven by conversational AI. While it remains uncertain whether Apple’s strategy will restore Siri’s former prominence, the company’s focus on innovation points to a pivotal moment in its journey to solidify its place in the future of AI.
