As expected, Apple has officially announced the much-anticipated update to its virtual assistant, now named Siri AI. This announcement was made during the Worldwide Developers Conference, showcasing what Apple refers to as the "next generation of Apple Intelligence."
Siri AI is built on Google's Gemini models, offering a more conversational experience, on-device processing, and utilizing Apple's Private Cloud Compute when additional server resources are necessary. This ensures that personal data remains private and inaccessible to both Apple and third parties. The updated Siri app remembers past interactions, and on iOS, it is also integrated into the Dynamic Island. On iPadOS 27 and macOS 27, users can access Siri AI within Spotlight. Additionally, it will be available on watchOS and visionOS.
The on-device Siri AI model, supported on select devices, enhances voice expressiveness and significantly improves accuracy in systemwide dictation. Users can customize Siri's voice pace and expressiveness, while dictation automatically manages punctuation, capitalization, and formatting as you speak.
Siri AI can leverage personal context from messages, emails, photos, and more. While this feature will naturally integrate with Apple’s applications, the company assures users that third-party app context will also be supported through developer integration with Spotlight.
Moreover, Siri AI can provide answers based on on-screen content or gather updated information using its vast knowledge base. All interactions with Siri AI will be synchronized across devices via iCloud.
On iOS, a new Siri mode in the Camera app allows users to inquire about their surroundings. This feature also facilitates splitting bills with Apple Cash or accessing nutritional information about food.
This Visual Intelligence feature will be available on iPadOS and macOS for the first time, allowing users to ask questions and take immediate actions based on visual content. On iPadOS, this will be part of the screenshot function, while on macOS, a dedicated keyboard shortcut enables users to select any content on their screen and query Siri directly.
Siri AI includes integrated writing tools that enhance typing experiences across all applications. Users can prompt Siri AI to generate drafts or refine existing text based on their communication styles. While composing messages in Mail and Messages, Siri AI adapts to the user’s typical tone and punctuation. It also provides proofreading capabilities in almost all third-party apps.
Siri AI will have the ability to edit and generate images, though this feature will be subject to daily usage limits with expanded access available for iCloud+ subscribers. The beta version of Siri AI will launch later this year for supported devices configured in English, with additional language support expected soon after.
In the European Union, Siri AI will initially only be available on macOS, watchOS, and visionOS if the chosen language is supported. Due to the EU's Digital Markets Act, Siri AI will not be accessible on iOS and iPadOS in the region. Apple has cited regulatory challenges as the reason for this limitation, stating, "over the past several months, EU regulators did not accept any of Apple’s proposed solutions to enable Siri AI in the EU while safely supporting other virtual assistants."
Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, expressed hope for the eventual availability of Siri AI in the EU, stating, "We will continue to engage with EU regulators on a path forward." He emphasized the lack of a timeline for Siri AI’s iOS and iPadOS rollout in light of ongoing discussions with regulators.
Apple explained that the current EU regulations potentially require the company to provide full access to users’ private data for any virtual assistant, compromising user privacy and security.
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