Apple Delays Major Siri Upgrade to 2026

The race for AI dominance is accelerating, but Apple appears to be taking a more measured pace. The tech giant has confirmed a significant delay for its highly anticipated AI-powered Siri overhaul, which was first showcased at WWDC 2024. Initially slated for release this year, the revamped virtual assistant is now scheduled to launch next year.

Siri's AI Makeover Pushed to 2026

In a recent discussion with CNBC, Apple CEO Tim Cook provided an update on the company's AI ambitions. He confirmed that the smarter, more capable Siri experience is on track for a launch in 2026, though a specific date was not provided. Cook emphasized that the company is "making good progress" on its development and remains focused on delivering a polished product.

Technical Hurdles and Architectural Rework

The delay stems from significant technical challenges. According to Craig Federighi, Apple's head of software engineering, the initial architecture designed for the personalized Siri experience was found to be inadequate and failed to meet the company's high standards. This prompted the team to pivot towards developing a second-generation architecture. The development team concluded that substantial work was still needed before the new features could be rolled out to the public. It is now anticipated that these next-generation Siri enhancements will be introduced as part of the iOS 26.4 update.

Exploring AI Partnerships with Industry Leaders

While developing its in-house models, Apple is also actively exploring collaborations to bolster its AI offerings. Tim Cook mentioned that Apple is in talks with AI firms like OpenAI and Google to potentially integrate their powerful chatbots into the Apple Intelligence ecosystem. This move would allow users to access features from models like ChatGPT and Gemini directly on their devices. Recent reports also indicate that Apple is considering partnerships with Anthropic and Perplexity to develop an advanced AI search feature for Siri. Cook further stated that the company is "open to pursuing M&A if it advances our roadmap," signaling a flexible strategy for AI development.

User Frustration and Legal Challenges

The postponement has not been without consequences. The delay in delivering the promised AI features has reportedly led to multiple class-action lawsuits from users who were anticipating the upgrade, highlighting the high expectations surrounding Apple's entry into the generative AI space.