Hajra Naz
Apple’s eagerly awaited AI-enhanced update for Siri has come to yet another setback. It was initially going to be launched with the iOS 19, but now the upgrade, termed as “LLM Siri,” has been set back to an iOS 20 launch which is predicted to be in 2027. This particular delay brings up issues concerning Apple’s competitiveness in the swiftly changing world of AI in which OpenAI, Google, and Amazon seem to be advancing at an astonishing pace with their AI-powered virtual assistant clones.
The Evolution of Apple Intelligence and Siri and Why it’s So Delayed
Apple Intelligence’s plan to incorporate AI into all of its products, which was unveiled in 2024, always aimed at letting Siri become part of conversations, build context, and logically analyze complex requests. Unfortunately, bolster the hopes of many people, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg claims that Apple’s AI subdivision has run into a great deal of skepticism and issues making it increasingly difficult to work on it, let alone complete it.
Apple set out with the idea to merge the two databases of Siri, where one was used for commands and the other for intricate queries. This was to be done via a single empowered AI assistant. In the much broader point of view, Apple Counsel achieved some of that with an update that was later termed LLM Siri, but users still have not been provided with the most powerful AI that would put Siri on the level of ChatGPT which will only be integrated into iOS 20, or as early as that.
What’s Coming in iOS 18.4 and iOS 18.5?
While a fully AI-powered Siri is years away, Apple is making incremental updates in the meantime. With iOS 18.4, rolling out in April, Apple Intelligence will expand to more regions and languages, including French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (simplified), and localized English for India and Singapore.
iOS 18.5, expected in May, will introduce three key Siri improvements:
- On-Screen Awareness – Siri will be able to recognize and interact with on-screen content.
- Enhanced Personal Context – Siri will better understand users’ preferences and behaviors.
- Improved App Control – Siri will provide deeper integration with Apple’s ecosystem, making interactions more seamless.
At the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024, Apple demonstrated how Siri could pull information from the Mail and Messages apps to assist users in real-time—such as providing flight details or lunch reservations. These features will roll out with iOS 18.5, but they represent only a fraction of Apple’s long-term AI vision.
Why Is Apple Struggling to Upgrade Siri?
Internal Challenges and AI Development Hurdles
Despite its marketing potential, Apple is battling internal AI leadership disputes, and watching some of its best talents drift away to rivals. In reality, their competitors, including OpenAI and Google, don’t seem to struggle with broader acquisition of AI assets which, for Apple, remains a slow process due to their lack of transparency.
Apple faces intensive technical challenges when it comes to merging Siri with a LLM. As it stands, Siri operates under two distinct systems for simple commands and higher intricate tasks. The transition to a blended AI assistant model is, indeed, a heavily infrastructure system consuming process for Apple on all levels.
The Growing AI Competition
While Apple is working through its AI struggles, competitors are rapidly advancing:
- ChatGPT remains unrivaled in conversational AI and continues to set new records in natural language engagements.
- Google’s Gemini AI has expanded across several channels as it now boasts real-time summarization, advanced lookup, and sophisticated context detection.
- Amazon’s Alexa has enhanced its AI capabilities to allow for hands-free conversations across other advanced home appliances.
The competition is ever growing as Apple faces the problem of digging itself deeper into the rival market, while new and improved features are being rolled out, and its competitors are sure to be quicker on the draw every week.
When Can We Expect a Smarter Siri?
While iOS 18.4 and iOS 18.5 will bring some Siri enhancements, a fully conversational AI-driven Siri won’t debut until at least 2027. Apple is taking a cautious approach, prioritizing privacy and stability over rapid releases. However, this strategy may cost the company its competitive edge in the AI market.
According to Gurman, Apple plans to introduce an LLM-powered Siri update in late 2025 as an interim step. This version will feature a dual-system approach—one handling traditional commands like setting timers and making calls, and another leveraging AI for more complex tasks. Apple aims to merge these into a single AI system by 2026 before fully pursuing Siri’s advanced conversational capabilities.
Read More: Apple Teams Up with OpenAI to Boost Siri and More in iOS 18
Final Thoughts
Apple has a track record of producing high-end, well-made items while being late to technological advances. But the AI competition is accelerating at a never-before-seen rate, and Apple’s delays could cause it to fall behind its quicker rivals.
The company’s concentration on on-device, privacy-focused AI may eventually make it stand out, but to remain relevant in the rapidly changing AI market, it needs to speed up development. Apple’s ability to introduce a breakthrough Siri will be essential to its future success in the field of AI-driven virtual assistants, as competitors are constantly developing.
Until at least 2027, Apple users will have to wait to see if Siri can truly fulfill its AI-powered promise.
