Apple Weighs Using Outside AI to Power Siri in Major Shift

Bloomberg Businessweek

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Apple Inc. is considering using artificial intelligence technology from Anthropic PBC or OpenAI to power a new version of Siri, sidelining its own in-house models in a potentially blockbuster move aimed at turning around its flailing AI effort.
The iPhone maker has talked with both companies about using their large language models for Siri, according to people familiar with the discussions. It has asked them to train versions of their models that could run on Apple’s cloud infrastructure for testing, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations.
If Apple ultimately moves forward, it would represent a monumental reversal. The company currently powers most of its AI features with homegrown technology that it calls Apple Foundation Models and had been planning a new version of its voice assistant that runs on that technology for 2026.
A switch to Anthropic’s Claude or OpenAI’s ChatGPT models for Siri would be an acknowledgment that the company is struggling to compete in generative AI — the most important new technology in decades. Apple already allows ChatGPT to answer web-based search queries in Siri, but the assistant itself is powered by Apple.
Today's show features:

• Bloomberg News Managing Editor for Global Consumer Tech Mark Gurman on Apple considering using artificial intelligence technology from Anthropic PBC or OpenAI to power a new version of Siri
• Ed Price, Senior Non-Resident Fellow at New York University and former British trade official on the latest from Ukraine and expectations for ongoing US trade negotiations
• Trish Damkroger, Chief Product Officer, SVP & General Manger of High Performance Computing and AI of HPE
• Bloomberg News Congressional Reporter Erik Wasson on the latest tax bill negotiations within the US Senate

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