Apple’s Siri Overhaul Delayed to 2027: Interim AI Upgrade Coming with iOS 18.5
Staff Editor Apple’s Siri Upgrade Faces Delays, Challenges in AI Development
Apple’s highly anticipated upgrade to Siri, expected to deliver a more natural and advanced version of the virtual assistant, is facing significant delays and challenges, according to recent reports. Industry insiders suggest that concerns within Apple’s AI department about the timeline for a modernized Siri have pushed back the potential release date.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a respected technology analyst, indicates that the fully revamped Siri may not be available until iOS 20 in 2027. However, an interim LLM-powered Siri upgrade is expected to arrive with iOS 18.5. This new Siri model is set to function separately from the existing system, which has been described as not operating smoothly.
The planned architecture for the modernized Siri aims to merge old and new systems, handling both simple and advanced AI-powered tasks. Initially, Apple intended to introduce this combined architecture in iOS 19.4. However, development delays have pushed back the timeline, and it is not expected to be unveiled at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.
Apple’s challenges in upgrading Siri mirror similar difficulties faced by competitors like Amazon. Panos Panay, discussing Amazon’s re-architected Alexa Plus system, highlighted the complexities of blending old and new systems. Early access to Alexa Plus has been limited to certain devices as the company navigates these challenges.
Reports suggest that Apple’s AI department is grappling with several obstacles. The company’s AI models are reportedly reaching their limits, and there are difficulties in acquiring the necessary AI training hardware. Additionally, issues with leadership and employee retention have been cited as factors slowing progress.
As Apple works to overcome these hurdles, industry observers note that rivals are advancing more rapidly in AI development. The tech giant faces pressure to accelerate its AI initiatives to maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving landscape of virtual assistants and artificial intelligence.
