Cupertino, California — Apple is exploring the possibility of integrating artificial intelligence technology from Anthropic and OpenAI into its Siri voice assistant, according to a recent report. This marks a significant shift for the tech giant, which has been developing its own AI models.
During trading on Monday, Apple’s shares experienced fluctuations, ultimately closing 2% higher. The discussions regarding the potential partnership with Anthropic and OpenAI indicate Apple’s intent to enhance Siri’s capabilities through external expertise in large language models.
Reports suggest that Apple has initiated conversations with both companies to adapt their models for compatibility with Apple’s cloud infrastructure, allowing for future testing. However, the discussions remain in preliminary stages, and a decision to adopt these third-party technologies has not been finalized.
While Anthropic, which is backed by Amazon, declined to comment, neither Apple nor OpenAI responded to inquiries about the discussions. In March, Apple announced that updates to Siri’s AI functionalities would be postponed until 2026, leaving many to speculate about the reasons behind the delay.
To streamline its AI initiatives, Apple reshuffled its executive team, appointing Mike Rockwell to lead the Siri project after CEO Tim Cook expressed concerns regarding the performance of John Giannandrea, the former head of AI efforts. This leadership change underscores the urgency with which Apple is seeking to bolster its AI initiatives.
At the company’s latest Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple showcased more modest advancements aimed at enhancing daily tasks, such as providing real-time translation for phone calls. This contrasts with the larger AI ambitions being pursued by competitors, emphasizing a strategy focused on practical, user-centric improvements.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s software chief, highlighted that the company will make its foundational AI tools available to third-party developers. He also announced plans to integrate both its own and OpenAI’s code completion tools into key Apple developer resources, signifying a collaborative approach to software development.
As the tech landscape rapidly evolves, Apple’s exploration of external AI technology could bolster its competitive position in the market. By potentially leveraging established models, Apple aims to enhance Siri’s functionality and overall user experience.