Apple might turn Siri AI into an agent next year

Apple's intelligent assistant Siri has been a trailblazer for the company, though it has faced challenges in recent years due to falling behind more advanced large language models like OpenAI's ChatGPT. This year, Apple significantly upgraded Siri, rebranding it as Siri AI, but the assistant still lacks the autonomy and capabilities of other AI agents.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple's new CEO John Ternus is pushing software chief Craig Federighi to make Siri into an AI agent that can work independently and perform various tasks for users. Federighi, described as an AI skeptic, contrasts with Ternus's more progressive approach. While Siri AI is vastly superior to last year's version, it still cannot handle complex tasks proficiently.

However, next year's Siri should offer several advanced features that could position it as a strong competitor to other AI agents. Key enhancements include the ability to access both Apple and third-party apps and perform actions within them, such as booking a table or ordering food through services like OpenTable or Uber Eats. Additionally, Siri could gain more precise control over Apple's apps, potentially editing photos and sharing them autonomously.

These improvements may roll out as early as December 2026 with iOS 27.3, while more advanced capabilities for third-party apps could arrive in spring 2027 with iOS 27.5 or iOS 27.6, possibly before Apple's WWDC conference in June. Despite Siri's potential, it still falls short of agents like ChatGPT's Dots or Meta's Muse, which can handle complex tasks independently.

Apple's advantage lies in controlling both hardware and software, but rivals could develop their own hardware, potentially diminishing Apple's competitive edge.