Apple WWDC 25: No AI-Powered Siri Update
Apple Skips Major Siri Upgrade at WWDC
Apple unveiled numerous software innovations at WWDC 2025, including the flashy “Liquid Glass” interface redesign and operating system updates. However, the tech giant remained silent about a promised AI-powered Siri overhaul that had been highly anticipated since its announcement at last year’s developer conference.
Limited Mention of Siri Improvements
Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of Software Engineering, only briefly acknowledged the assistant’s development during the keynote: “We’re continuing our work to deliver features that make Siri more personal. This work needs more time to reach our quality bar, and we’ll share more in the coming year.”
This vague timeline suggests Apple won’t release the Siri AI update before 2026 – a notable delay in today’s fast-moving AI landscape where competitors launch advancements monthly.
The Promise of a Smarter Siri
Originally unveiled at WWDC 2024, the next-generation Siri was positioned as a game-changer for Apple’s ecosystem. The company promised:
Enhanced Personal Context
- Understanding user relationships
- Analyzing communication patterns
- Learning daily routines
Expanded Functionality
The assistant was also supposed to gain the ability to execute complex actions across multiple apps simultaneously – a feature that would have significantly boosted Siri’s utility.
Development Challenges and Leadership Shakeup
Internal reports revealed the Siri AI upgrade faced significant technical hurdles. According to Bloomberg, the in-development version only functioned correctly about two-thirds of the time, falling short of Apple’s quality standards.
In March 2025, Apple confirmed the delay and made organizational changes:
- Removed John Giannandrea from Siri leadership
- Appointed Vision Pro head Mike Rockwell to oversee Siri development
- Partnered with OpenAI for backup query handling
Competitive Pressure
These struggles highlight Apple’s challenges in keeping pace with AI leaders like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic – a concern for investors tracking the company’s artificial intelligence strategy.
Other AI Advances at WWDC 2025
While Siri’s overhaul was absent, Apple did showcase several AI-powered features:
- Developer access to on-device AI models
- Real-time translation across communication apps
- Upgraded Genmoji and visual intelligence tools
- New AI “Workout Buddy” for Apple Watch
- Xcode AI integration for developers
- Revamped Shortcuts app with automation enhancements
Apple continues integrating ChatGPT functionality as a stopgap, with iOS 26’s Image Playground now leveraging OpenAI’s technology alongside the existing Siri query routing system.
Conclusion
The Siri AI delay represents a significant stumble in Apple’s AI roadmap, forcing the company to rely on partnerships while competitors forge ahead with native solutions. While other WWDC announcements demonstrate Apple’s continued investment in artificial intelligence, the missing “more personal” Siri leaves a conspicuous gap in its ecosystem strategy.