Apples Next Gen Siri Hits Snags Over AI Accuracy

Recent reports indicate that Apple is internally testing advanced Large Language Models (LLMs) for Siri, potentially making the voice assistant significantly more powerful than the current Apple Intelligence. However, the rollout of this upgraded Siri is reportedly facing delays due to concerns over AI hallucinations and disagreements among Apple's top executives.

Apple's Advanced Siri Prototypes: Pushing AI Boundaries

Confirming earlier suggestions that Apple is not lagging in AI development but rather strategically planning its moves, the company has consistently published research showcasing its progress in the AI field. According to a new report from Bloomberg, Apple has been experimenting with AI systems far more potent than the on-device Apple Intelligence launched so far.

Internally, Apple is reportedly working with multiple LLMs of varying complexity. These models are said to include versions with 3 billion, 7 billion, 33 billion, and even 150 billion parameters. For context, Apple stated in 2024 that its foundational language models for Apple Intelligence were around 3 billion parameters.

The On Device vs Cloud Dilemma: Power Comes at a Cost

The existing Apple Intelligence is intentionally designed with a smaller parameter count to enable on-device processing, enhancing privacy and speed by avoiding constant cloud communication. In contrast, the more powerful models Apple is testing, particularly the 150 billion parameter version, are cloud-based. This larger model is reportedly approaching the quality and capabilities of ChatGPT's latest releases.

However, a significant hurdle remains: AI hallucinations. Apple is said to have postponed the release of this more advanced Apple Intelligence model partly because the frequency of these inaccuracies is currently deemed too high for public deployment.

Executive Disagreements and Release Roadblocks

Beyond technical challenges like hallucinations, there's another factor complicating the release of this much-improved, cloud-based Siri chatbot. Reports claim that philosophical differences exist among Apple's senior executives regarding the timing and strategy for its launch.

While the specifics of these disagreements are not detailed, it's plausible they revolve around varying tolerance levels for AI hallucinations or differing visions for Siri's evolution. Previous reports have suggested that John Giannandrea, former Siri chief, is hesitant about an early release, while other executives are reportedly more eager to introduce full chatbot functionality to Siri.

Impact on WWDC and Future Product Strategy

This internal debate might lead to fewer Apple Intelligence announcements at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) than previously anticipated. The entire WWDC keynote is rumored to be somewhat smaller in scope compared to previous years. Despite this, Apple is still expected to unveil a significant redesign for Mac, iPhone, and iPad operating systems, incorporating user interface lessons learned from the Apple Vision Pro.