Apple's Big Plans for Siri: What's Next for the Voice Assistant?

Apple is making big moves to upgrade Siri. The company is experimenting with large language models (LLMs) to make Siri more conversational and better at understanding complex ideas. This is part of a broader effort to create a rival to ChatGPT. The tech giant is testing models with different sizes, ranging from 3 billion to 150 billion parameters. The largest model, with 150 billion parameters, is cloud-based and much more powerful than the current on-device models. This model is being tested with a tool called "Playground. " It shows promise but still has issues, like sometimes giving incorrect information. There are also disagreements among Apple's leaders about the direction of these projects. Apple has offices in Zurich working on a new software design for Siri. This new design aims to replace the current system, which has been added to over time in a way that can cause problems. Additionally, Apple is testing a chatbot called "Knowledge. " This chatbot can search the internet and combine information from different sources. However, this project has faced delays, much like the Siri upgrade. It's unclear when these new technologies will be ready. Apple is unlikely to share a timeline at their upcoming WWDC event, given the backlash from last year's event. In the meantime, Google's Gemini might be added to iOS 26 as an alternative to ChatGPT in Siri. Apple is also in talks with Perplexity to add their AI service as another option for both Siri and Safari search. The future of Siri is uncertain. While Apple is making progress, there are still challenges to overcome. The company is testing various models and tools, but it's not clear when or if these will be ready for public use. Meanwhile, other companies are also developing AI technologies that could compete with or complement Siri. It's an exciting time for voice assistants, but it's also a time of uncertainty. Apple has a lot of work to do to catch up with the competition. The company needs to address the issues with their current models and find a way to integrate new technologies seamlessly. It's a tall order, but Apple has shown in the past that they can rise to the challenge. Only time will tell how this story unfolds.