Apple is gearing up to enhance its virtual assistant, Siri, with a significant upgrade powered by generative AI technology. This transformative update aims to make Siri more conversational and versatile, allowing it to handle a broader range of tasks with greater efficiency and effectiveness.
According to insider reports cited by The New York Times, the upcoming iteration of Siri will leverage generative AI to enable more natural interactions, including chatting capabilities and the ability to process multiple requests seamlessly. Expected improvements include enhanced task management such as setting timers, creating reminders, and accommodating custom requests.
The anticipated Siri upgrade is slated to coincide with the release of iOS 18 and other Apple operating system updates, scheduled to be unveiled at the WWDC event beginning on June 10, 2024. While the new features will not mirror the functionality of Open AI’s ChatGPT, Siri is poised to deliver more dynamic responses, including summarizing incoming messages and notifications.
Notably, Apple’s approach to AI integration with Siri emphasizes privacy, with most requests processed locally on the device rather than relying heavily on web-based information. This approach aligns with Apple’s commitment to safeguarding user privacy and data security.
Since its debut in 2011, Siri has become a staple feature across Apple devices. However, its conversational limitations and reliance on single-question responses have been areas of criticism. With this forthcoming upgrade, Apple aims to elevate Siri’s capabilities and provide users with a more intuitive and seamless virtual assistant experience.
