Apple is reportedly planning a significant overhaul for its virtual assistant, Siri, aiming to transform it into an advanced AI chatbot with the release of iOS 27. According to reports from Bloomberg, this future update will be powered by a new, internally developed “Apple Foundation Model version 11,” marking a major step in the company’s generative AI strategy.
The plan for Siri is expected to unfold in two phases. First, an upcoming iOS 26.4 update will reportedly deliver on promises made at Apple’s 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). This interim update is said to introduce features like on-screen context awareness and “World Knowledge Answers,” which provide summarized, web-based responses. This functionality will purportedly be powered by Google’s Gemini technology, integrated via what the report calls “Apple Foundation Model version 10.”
Following that, iOS 27 is slated to introduce the more substantial chatbot evolution for Siri. This next-generation assistant will allegedly run on the more advanced “Apple Foundation Model version 11.” The primary focus of the iOS 27 update appears to be this Siri enhancement, with other aspects of the OS expected to concentrate on performance and stability improvements rather than major visual changes.
This multi-stage strategy follows Apple’s broader push into generative AI, a field where competitors have made significant strides. The integration of Google’s Gemini model, as part of the Apple Intelligence initiative announced at WWDC 2025, represents a key partnership to bolster Siri’s capabilities in the short term. The long-term goal, however, appears to be leveraging Apple’s own large language models to create a more deeply integrated and powerful native assistant.
The move is seen as a direct response to the rapid advancement of AI assistants and chatbots from companies like Google and OpenAI. By enhancing Siri’s conversational abilities and knowledge base, Apple aims to make its assistant more competitive and central to the user experience across its devices.
Apple’s reported motivation is to close the perceived gap in conversational AI and deliver a more capable, intuitive virtual assistant. While Siri was a pioneer in the space, recent advancements in large language models have reshaped user expectations. The company is now focused on infusing its ecosystem with its own powerful AI, known as Apple Intelligence, to enhance functionality while maintaining its strong stance on user privacy.
Many details about the plan remain unconfirmed. The specific capabilities of the chatbot version of Siri in iOS 27 are not yet known. Furthermore, the financial terms of Apple’s partnership with Google for Gemini integration have not been officially disclosed. The rumored “Liquid Glass” redesign for iOS 26 is also unverified. An exact release date for the iOS 26.4 beta or public version has not been announced.
The iOS 26.4 update is expected to enter beta testing stages soon, giving users a first look at the initial Siri enhancements. Apple is anticipated to officially announce iOS 27 and provide a comprehensive demonstration of the new Siri’s capabilities at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, expected this June.
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