Apple's Siri Poised for Revolutionary AI Transformation
In a bold strategic move, Apple is reportedly planning a comprehensive overhaul of its long-standing digital assistant Siri later this year. According to a detailed Bloomberg report, the tech giant aims to evolve Siri from a basic voice assistant into a sophisticated artificial intelligence chatbot, positioning itself more directly in the competitive generative AI arena currently dominated by OpenAI and Google.
From Simple Commands to Fluid Conversations
The new system, internally code-named Campos, is designed to completely replace Siri's existing interface. Unlike current versions that lack conversational depth, Campos will support natural, back-and-forth dialogues similar to ChatGPT or Google's Gemini. Users will likely activate it through familiar methods—voice commands or pressing the side button on supported devices—but will experience significantly enhanced interaction capabilities.
A Phased Implementation Strategy
Apple appears to be adopting a two-stage rollout approach for Siri's transformation:
- The initial upgrade, expected in iOS 26.4, will maintain Siri's current interface while adding previously previewed features like on-screen content analysis, personal data integration (messages, calendars), and improved web search capabilities.
- The more ambitious chatbot functionality is scheduled for later in the year, with Apple likely unveiling Campos at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June and releasing it publicly alongside new operating systems in September.
Deep Ecosystem Integration
Campos is anticipated to be deeply embedded across Apple's operating systems, including iOS 27 (code-named Rave), iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 (Fizz). While these updates may not bring major visual changes, Apple is focusing on stability, performance, and enhanced AI functionality. The company has tested Campos as a standalone app but plans to integrate it directly into its ecosystem, mirroring Siri's current operational model.
Capabilities That Redefine User Interaction
The upgraded Siri is expected to offer comprehensive AI-powered features:
- Web searching and information summarization
- Text and image generation capabilities
- Analysis of uploaded files and documents
- Access to personal data for finding messages, calendar events, music, and documents
- Deep system integration allowing control of device settings, app launching, call management, and interaction with core Apple services like Mail, Photos, and Music
For instance, users could naturally describe a photo they want to locate and edit, or request email drafting based on upcoming calendar appointments.
Strategic Partnerships and Technological Foundations
Despite Apple's emphasis on proprietary technology, Campos is expected to heavily utilize AI models developed in collaboration with Google. The initial Siri update will run on Apple Foundation Models version 10, while Campos will likely employ the more advanced version 11, comparable to Google's Gemini 3. In a significant development, Apple and Google may discuss hosting the chatbot on Google servers using specialized TPU chips, with Apple reportedly paying Google approximately $1 billion annually for model access.
Regaining Momentum in the AI Race
This chatbot initiative represents a crucial component of Apple's broader strategy to regain momentum in artificial intelligence. Following the uneven launch of Apple Intelligence in 2024, where features arrived late or fell short of expectations, the company faces intensified competition from smartphone rivals like Samsung and various Chinese brands that have already integrated conversational AI deeply into their software ecosystems.
Apple executives have traditionally emphasized embedding AI directly into everyday tools rather than developing standalone chatbots. While this philosophy remains intact, competitive pressures have necessitated this significant evolution of Siri's capabilities, marking what could be the most substantial upgrade in the assistant's history.
