This year’s Apple event is just around the corner, but we’re already getting a potential preview of what’s to come.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is planning to launch an AI search tool, deeply integrated with its Siri voice assistant, known internally within the company as World Knowledge Answers.
The “answer engine” is Apple’s attempt at its own version of what Openai and Perplexity are doing with their AI search tools.
Using large language models, Apple’s AI-powered search tool will allow users to search the web for information using text, photos, videos, and “local points of interest.” The AI-powered search tool will provide users with relevant information through an AI-generated summary from a redesigned Siri voice assistant. Along with its Siri integration, Apple plans to integrate the tool into its Safari web browser, as well as its Spotlight search tool on iOS devices.
However, while Apple is working with OpenAI to bring the latest GPT-5 model to Apple Intelligence in iOS 26, the company is turning to Google to help with its AI research project, at least according to Bloomberg’s Apple bliss Mark Gurman.
Bloomberg notes that the iPhone maker recently signed a deal to test the search giant’s latest Gemini AI model with its Siri voice assistant. Interestingly, news of this agreement comes after a federal judge blocked Google from entering exclusive search agreements with companies like Apple.
A major AI upgrade on the way for Siri?
In its current form, Apple’s voice assistant, Siri, feels extremely outdated compared to its AI counterparts like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Siri is left providing users with basic information, while competitors can provide longer, more deeply researched, and in-and-out responses in a conversational tone.
Ever since Apple announced its own suite of AI tools, Apple Intelligence, a long-awaited Siri overhaul has been planned but has yet to materialize.
That could very well change soon, as Apple is in the midst of rebuilding Siri for the AI age.
While the current Siri is built on Apple’s own technology, the company is looking to use third-party AI models for the new version of its voice assistant. Bloomberg reports that Apple is leaning toward using Google’s Gemini model, which would run on Apple’s own servers, to summarize Siri’s output for users. Additionally, Apple is using Gemini, PBC Anthropology’s Claude, and its own in-house models for AI summarization and research.
As Bloomberg reports, Anthropic’s request for $1.5 billion annually from Apple could lead the company to go with Google.
The new Siri hasn’t been scheduled to debut for some time. However, Apple’s upcoming September event may include a first look at the new AI-powered Siri.
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against Openai, alleging that it violated Ziff Davis Copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.
