Remember that smarter, AI-powered version of Siri Apple showed off at WWDC 2024 — the one that was supposed to finally make Siri feel like it actually gets you?
Well... that version just got delayed again — this time, till 2026.
While the delay (and disappointment) isn’t exactly new, what is new is that instead of sticking to the original script, Apple’s pulling a Plan B.
Basically, since building the perfect Siri with its own homegrown AI hasn’t quite worked out (yet), Apple’s now flirting with the idea of teaming up with OpenAI and Anthropic to possibly power Siri’s brain.
Yup, that means ChatGPT or Claude might soon be whispering back when you say, “Hey Siri.”
Here’s the gist: Apple has reportedly asked both companies to train special versions of their models that can run on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute — those are Apple’s privacy-obsessed, ultra-secure servers powered by its own chips.
The idea? Keep everything locked down and secure while borrowing the AI brainpower Siri desperately needs.
Now to be clear, Apple’s not a total stranger to third-party AI.
In fact, ChatGPT already powers parts of Apple Intelligence. But handing over Siri — their OG assistant — to someone else? That’s a huge deal for a company that’s famous for doing everything in-house.
Meanwhile, there’s been some reshuffling behind the scenes.
Siri is now being led by Mike Rockwell (the same guy who led the Apple Vision Pro team)
And Apple’s broader AI strategy has shifted from John Giannandrea (Apple's senior vice president of machine learning and AI strategy) to Craig Federighi (the senior vice president of software engineering)
Translation: new leadership, new energy, new game plan.
So, what can you expect in the meantime?
Apple will still ship a few lighter, AI-adjacent features this fall with the launch of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 — just don’t hold your breath for that fully upgraded, mind-reading Siri until 2026.
And hey, if this whole strategy sounds familiar… it should. Samsung’s Galaxy AI already leans on Google’s Gemini, blending its own software with third-party smarts.
So Apple teaming up with outside players? Not unheard of — just fashionably late to the party, as usual.
