A new report claims Apple is currently using Large Language model (LLM) technology to “completely revamp Siri into the ultimate virtual assistant.”
According to X’s @Tech_Reve, “Apple is currently using LLM to completely revamp Siri into the ultimate virtual assistant and is preparing to develop it into Apple's most powerful killer AI app.” The insider, who has a strong Android track record of leaks but limited Apple chops, says that Apple’s “integrated development effort” is “actively underway” and that Apple is planning to unveil the first product at WWDC 2024 and to have it ready to ship as standard on iPhone 16 and beyond.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about Apple’s big plans for AI. Both The Information and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman have reported that Apple is working on an “AppleGPT” alternative to ChatGPT, known internally as “Ajax.” More recently, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed “in terms of generative AI we have work going on, obviously,” and said the company was “investing quite a bit.” Cook teased product advancements “over time” with AI technologies at the heart of them.
Apple, Siri, and AppleGPT - what we know so far
Siri is the obvious beneficiary of an Apple AI push, given it’s already a smart (ish) virtual assistant with machine learning. However, there are some other rumored possibilities. Apple is also reportedly working on AI tools for its coding app, Xcode, as well as Apple Music, Pages, Keynote, and its Messages app. Some of this might just entail generating playlists, better predictive text, and autocorrect, however, there’s also the prospect of generating more substantial content and even entire apps using AI at stake here.
We’ve heard again previously that Apple is targeting iOS 18 as the vessel for these improvements, which lines up squarely with this latest prediction of WWDC 2024. Only time will tell as to whether Apple has truly managed to create “the ultimate virtual assistant.”
Of course, given Siri's used in a multitude of Apple devices, it won't just be Apple's next best iPhone that benefits from the change. Improvements could stretch beyond to the likes of Mac, iPad, Apple TV, and even the HomePod.
