Apple to Allow Third-Party AI Assistants on iOS 27
▼ Summary
– Apple plans to open its Siri assistant to third-party AI services like Google Gemini and Anthropic Claude in the upcoming iOS 27 update.
– This change is part of a broader Siri overhaul aimed at improving Apple’s competitive position in artificial intelligence.
– The new system will allow users to send queries from Siri directly to other installed AI chatbot apps via a menu in device settings.
– Apple expects this move to generate additional revenue from third-party AI subscriptions through its App Store.
– The announcement of these AI features is planned for Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference starting June 8.
In a significant strategic shift, Apple is preparing to open its Siri platform to third-party artificial intelligence assistants. This move, slated for the iOS 27 update, aims to transform the iPhone into a more powerful and versatile AI hub. The company is developing new tools that will allow AI chatbot applications downloaded from the App Store to integrate directly with Siri’s functionality.
This initiative represents a core part of Apple’s broader effort to revitalize its position in the competitive AI field, where it has trailed behind other major tech firms. A central component of this comeback strategy involves a comprehensive overhaul of Siri, the voice assistant launched nearly fifteen years ago. While Apple already offers access to OpenAI’s ChatGPT through a partnership, the new system will extend similar integration capabilities to rival services like Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude.
For users, this means that if they have these alternative AI apps installed, they will be able to route queries directly to them from within the Siri interface. The experience will mirror the existing integration with ChatGPT that debuted with the Apple Intelligence platform in 2024. The underlying framework, referred to internally as the Extensions system, will let users manage which services are active through a dedicated menu in the settings for Apple Intelligence and Siri across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 27.
This new approach is distinct from Apple’s separate collaboration with Google, which focuses on rebuilding Siri’s foundational technology using Gemini’s AI models. The Extensions system is designed for user-facing services, allowing requests to be processed by the actual Gemini application, provided Google enables the functionality in its app. Beyond enhancing user choice, this open ecosystem could become a new revenue stream for Apple through commissions on third-party AI subscriptions sold via the App Store.
The announcement of these and other AI advancements is expected at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference on June 8, though specific features remain subject to change. The news initially impacted the stock market, with shares of Google falling to a session low on Thursday, closing down 3.4%. Apple’s stock price showed little movement in comparison. As the tech giant prepares for its next chapter, enabling a more open AI assistant environment marks a pivotal step in its platform evolution.
(Source: Yahoo Entertainment)
