Apple is reportedly preparing one of the most significant changes to Siri in years, planning to open up its voice assistant to third-party AI services as part of the upcoming iOS 27 update. The move signals a major shift in Apple’s artificial intelligence strategy, transforming Siri from a closed assistant into a broader AI platform that integrates with competing technologies.
A shift towards an open AI ecosystem
According to a Bloomberg report from Gurman, Apple plans to allow Siri to route user requests to external AI assistants beyond the current ChatGPT integration, potentially including services like Google’s Gemini or Anthropic’s Claude.
This would allow users to choose which AI system handles specific requests, effectively making Siri a central interface rather than a single, standalone assistant. Apple is also said to be developing tools to integrate AI chatbot apps downloaded from the App Store directly into Siri and other parts of its “Apple Intelligence” ecosystem.
The update is expected to roll out alongside iOS 27 and is expected to be unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) later this year.
Why Apple is making this move
The decision reflects growing pressure on Apple to keep up with rapid advances in AI. Despite being a core part of the Apple ecosystem since 2011, Siri has struggled to keep up with the capabilities of newer AI assistants that rely on large language models.
By opening Siri to third-party AI services, Apple is effectively acknowledging that it may not have to develop the best AI model itself – as long as it controls the user interface and platform experience.
This approach reflects Apple’s broader strategy with the App Store, where it provides the ecosystem while allowing third-party developers to provide features. In this case, Siri could become the gateway through which users can seamlessly access multiple AI tools.
What it means for users
For iPhone users, the change could significantly expand Siri’s capabilities. Instead of being limited to Apple’s built-in features or a single AI partner, users may be able to access different AI systems depending on their needs.
For example, one assistant might handle creative writing tasks while another focuses on search or productivity. This flexibility could lead to more accurate answers, better personalization, and a more impactful overall experience.
It also simplifies access. Instead of switching between multiple apps, users could rely on Siri as a unified interface for interacting with different AI tools.
Impact on the industry and competitive landscape
Apple’s move could change the competitive dynamics in the AI assistant market. By opening up its platform, the company could encourage greater innovation among AI vendors that will now compete for visibility and usage in the iOS ecosystem.
At the same time, this strategy positions Apple differently than competitors such as Google and Microsoft, which invest heavily in their own proprietary AI models. Instead of competing directly on model performance, Apple seems to be focusing on integration, privacy and user experience.
This could also create new revenue opportunities as Apple may take a cut of subscriptions or services offered through built-in AI apps.
What comes next
The changes are expected to roll out with iOS 27, likely during WWDC, where Apple is also rumored to unveil a broader overhaul of Siri, including a more interactive interface and deeper system integration. Future updates could expand these capabilities further, potentially allowing Siri to function as a full-fledged AI agent capable of completing complex, multi-step tasks across apps and services.
However, a lot will depend on implementation. Apple has faced delays and criticism in its AI adoption in recent years, and the success of this strategy will depend on how smoothly these integrations work in practice.
The bigger picture
Apple’s plan to open up Siri marks a turning point in the development of digital assistants. Instead of being standalone tools, they become platforms that connect users to a larger AI ecosystem.
For users, this could mean more choice, better performance and a smarter everyday experience. For Apple, it represents a strategic bet – that controlling the interface could be more important than owning the intelligence behind it.
