After what seems like an eternity of denials, it now appears that Apple has finally bowed to pressure and plans to launch its own chatbot under the Siri brand to compete with chatbots like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. And as a long-time Apple user, I have to admit I’m pretty excited about it.
These days I spend more and more time turning to ChatGPT instead of Google Search if I have questions. I haven’t completely given up on Google, but the back-and-forth of a chatbot, which allows me to refine my question, ask for more information, and get specific answers, is especially helpful when I have a specific problem that Google can’t seem to solve.
This is exactly the kind of help that I think has long been missing from Apple’s suite of apps and operating systems. Sure, the Spotlight search tool has become more powerful in macOS 26 and Apple has started integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its operating systems, but it’s no secret that Siri is far behind its AI competitors in this area.
But far from catching up with the rest of the market, it looks like the Siri chatbot could have significant advantages over its rivals, as reported. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The journalist explains that “unlike third-party chatbots that run on Apple devices, the planned offering is designed to analyze open windows and screen content to perform actions and suggest commands. You will also be able to control the device’s functions and settings, allowing you to make phone calls, set timers and start the camera.”
These are the features touted at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024. Combined with Siri’s upcoming chatbot feature, they could transform Apple’s virtual assistant into a full-featured assistant, offering a range of features that even its most powerful competitors can’t match.
There’s a lot to look forward to, but if Apple gets close to it, we could soon see a significant shakeup in the AI market.
Reasons for hope
Interestingly, rumors suggest that Apple will take a similar approach with the Siri chatbot. Instead of a standalone app like those offered by ChatGPT, Gemini, and other chatbots, Apple “will integrate the software into its operating systems, like today’s Siri,” Gurman says.
It seems to me that that is the right approach. Given its potential power, I want the Siri chatbot to be available in all the apps I use.
Using it as a separate application can disrupt your workflow and interrupt your work. Combining it with existing applications could be a much more natural way to interact with AI.
And let’s not forget all the updates we were promised in 2024 and that I mentioned above, including the ability to understand your personal context and work within and between applications. With these two major redesigns scheduled for 2026, this could be the biggest year in Siri’s history and could finally help Apple catch up in the high-stakes world of AI.
However, Apple’s radical change comes with risks. For one thing, Gurman reports that Apple may need to rely on Google servers to quickly ramp up Siri’s capabilities. Since Google’s business model focuses primarily on advertising and data collection, user interactions with a chatbot would be a tempting target for the company.
Still, I’m confident Apple can ensure your information is protected and separated from any data collection, just as it did when it announced a “multi-year collaboration” to support Siri using Google Gemini models. If Apple can strengthen Siri while protecting user privacy, it’s a win-win situation.
All this means that 2026 will be a decisive year for Siri. Based on what we’ve heard so far, and Apple’s willingness to change course and launch a Siri chatbot, I’m optimistic about the future.
