Apple is reportedly exploring the use of third?party AI models to enhance Siri, with Anthropic said to be asking for a multibillion?ringgit yearly fee. This marks a significant strategic shift for the company, traditionally known for building core features in-house.
Apple is exploring more options for Siri
Currently, Apple is testing large language models (LLMs) from Anthropic (Claude) and OpenAI (ChatGPT). These models are being customised to work with Apple’s Private Cloud Compute infrastructure, which runs on Apple silicon and aims to ensure user privacy.
No final decision has been made, but internal testing suggests Claude is leading in performance. Originally, Apple had targeted 2026 for launching a more advanced, AI-powered Siri.
However, delays due to performance and quality concerns pushed back the timeline. This also led to leadership changes, with Siri and AI development now overseen by Mike Rockwell.
Former AI chief John Giannandrea has reportedly taken a back seat after CEO Tim Cook expressed dissatisfaction with progress.
During WWDC in June 2025, Apple did not present the anticipated Siri upgrade, citing it had not yet met the company’s internal quality standards.
Instead, the company focused on other Apple Intelligence features such as real-time translations for phone calls and AI tools aimed at developers.
One major factor influencing the decision is cost. Anthropic is reportedly asking for a multibillion?ringgit licensing deal that increases over time.
This has led Apple to continue evaluating ChatGPT as a possible alternative, especially as negotiations unfold.
Our thoughts
Siri has long faced criticism for lagging behind rivals in conversational intelligence. While Apple Intelligence aims to address this with a blend of on-device and cloud-based AI models, Apple appears to be keeping its options open.
The potential use of external models like Claude or ChatGPT reflects a pragmatic move to remain competitive—especially in light of high expectations for natural language understanding.
Notably, Apple still plans to prioritise privacy by running these models on its own infrastructure. That means even if Claude or ChatGPT are selected, they would operate within Apple’s tightly controlled system using its Private Cloud Compute.
If Apple decides to partner with Claude or ChatGPT, Siri could finally get the upgrade users have been waiting for. Would you prefer Siri to become smarter even if it relies on third-party AI?
Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more updates.
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