Apple seems to be stepping back from the competition in the conversational AI assistant market. According to a report by Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple’s project to evolve Siri into a conversational AI at the level of ChatGPT has encountered significant technical hurdles, resulting in a delay in its release schedule beyond 2027.
Internally referred to as the ‘LLM Siri,’ this plan aimed to transform Siri from a command-based voice assistant into a natural conversational AI by applying large language models (LLMs). Originally scheduled for release with iOS 19 in 2026, the project has reportedly been delayed due to issues integrating the system architecture.
Currently, Apple operates two separate structures: Siri’s existing command processing system and an LLM-based AI response system. The intention was to unify these into one integrated platform, but unforeseen performance declines and software errors have led to development delays. The internal AI team at Apple is striving to resolve these dual system issues, but they are facing more complex technical challenges than anticipated.
Apple plans to reveal the first phase of the LLM Siri project with the iOS 19.4 update in 2026, but this will focus primarily on backend integration, with little expectation for noticeable user performance improvements. Essentially, the transformation of Siri into a conversational AI assistant may not occur until iOS 20 or later.
Time is of the essence. With competitors like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon already incorporating LLMs into their voice assistants and accelerating their enhancement, Apple risks being left behind. Already, ChatGPT, Google Assistant, and Alexa have been making strides with features such as personalized conversation, advanced information searches, and real-time translation, thereby dominating the market.
The industry expresses concern that Apple’s delay in upgrading Siri AI could significantly weaken its AI competitiveness. Particularly as enhancing AI performance in key products like the iPhone, Mac, and iPad has become a market trend, Apple’s vision of an ‘intelligent ecosystem’ could be jeopardized without the evolution of Siri.
According to a source familiar with Apple’s internal affairs, “The software completion work for the AI upgrade is still underway, but it’s taking longer than expected.” The source added, “While the Apple Intelligence team is rushing to meet deadlines, sacrificing stability is not an option.”
Ultimately, Apple’s Siri overhaul stands at a crossroads between technical perfection and market timing. As competitors rapidly evolve, it remains to be seen how Apple will overcome this impasse and whether Siri can once again secure its status as an ‘icon of innovation.’