At WWDC 24, Apple shared expectations regarding the Siri update, now postponed until 2026. Company leadership explained the reasons for this decision.
Reasons for the Siri Update Delay
Following WWDC 24, Apple leaders addressed the absence of a fully personalized, AI-driven Siri. Craig Federighi, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, and Greg Joswiak, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, provided several explanations for the delay:
* The demonstrated version (Architecture v1) was functional but not ready for mass shipment. * Apple concluded that meeting customer expectations required transitioning to a more advanced architecture (v2). * The v1 software, while real, had an 'acceptable error rate' deemed unacceptable for a broad release. * Apple sees AI as a 'long-term transformational wave,' prioritizing quality and the right features over being first to market.
Apple's Approach to Artificial Intelligence
Apple differs from many companies focused on building standalone chatbots to compete with solutions like ChatGPT. The company states that the goal of their artificial intelligence is not to create a dedicated chat interface, but to deeply integrate intelligence across all platforms and operating systems.
Federighi explained, 'This wasn’t about us building a chatbot…' Instead, Apple aims for intelligence that can 'meet you where you are,' seamlessly assisting users in their workflows and apps. Key elements of this strategy include:
1. Infusing AI capabilities directly into core OS functions. 2. Enabling personalized and contextual assistance via the updated Siri. 3. Providing developers with tools to leverage Apple’s foundation models for building more intelligent third-party applications.
Siri Update Plan until 2026
Executives confirmed that the full realization of the Siri update is now targeted for 2026. This reflects the shift from the initially demonstrated architecture v1 to the more robust v2, which they believe is necessary to deliver the performance and reliability expected by Apple users. Although there were initial plans to ship components sooner, the commitment to a higher standard necessitated a revision of the schedule.
This situation highlights a common challenge in tech innovation: initial prototypes and demonstrations, while functional, often reveal the need for fundamental architectural changes to scale and meet real-world needs.
Apple has been transparent about the reasons behind the delay of the full Siri update, emphasizing that it is not due to fake or non-functional technology, but rather a strategic decision focusing on quality and performance. Their vision for Apple AI is centered on deep integration across the ecosystem rather than competing in the chatbot space. While the wait for the most advanced features of the new Siri is extended to 2026, the company remains committed to delivering a transformative AI experience built on a solid foundation.
