Apple is shaking up its approach to voice assistance by testing external artificial intelligence models. Instead of relying solely on its in‑house Apple Foundation Models, the tech giant is in talks with Anthropic and OpenAI to explore bespoke versions of their advanced AI systems, such as Anthropic’s Claude and OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
This change comes as Apple works to boost Siri’s competitiveness amid rapid developments in generative AI. Under the leadership of Siri chief Mike Rockwell and software engineering head Craig Federighi, the company is trialing these customised models on its Private Cloud Compute servers—a setup designed to maintain robust user privacy while delivering more up‑to‑date capabilities.
Initial tests with Anthropic’s technology have shown promise, prompting deeper discussions. It appears that even though Apple’s award-winning in‑house team has built a solid foundation, the pace of innovation means that tapping into external expertise might offer the agility needed to match rivals. For anyone who’s felt frustrated by delays and underwhelming updates in tech, this move offers a reassuring sign that change is on the horizon.
However, the transition isn’t without its challenges. Some in Apple’s AI division, traditionally proud of their cutting‑edge, internal solutions, now face uncertainty. With key figures realigning under Federighi’s leadership—a shift that arguably sidelines long‑time proponent John Giannandrea—the strategy signals a pragmatic response to ongoing market pressures and engineering hurdles.
In a landscape where competitors like Samsung are already adopting external AI, Apple’s step further emphasises its commitment to remain at the forefront of voice technology. As new Siri updates are anticipated this spring, this strategic pivot could be just the boost the assistant needs to truly resonate with users.
