WWDC 2026: Apple gives Siri an AI makeover, but China must wait
Apple announced a major AI overhaul for Siri at WWDC 2026, integrating Google’s Gemini model to enable fluid conversations and cross-app task management, though the update will exclude China. The new Siri will be available as a public beta later this year for English-language devices, marking Apple’s push to embed AI into its operating system rather than as a standalone feature.
Apple unveiled a revamped Siri AI assistant at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in Cupertino, California, on Monday. The update replaces Siri’s rigid, preprogrammed responses with dynamic, conversational capabilities powered by Google’s Gemini model. This allows Siri to manage tasks across apps and maintain continuous chat histories, positioning it as a central AI companion within Apple’s ecosystem. The new Siri will be released as a public beta later this year for devices set to English, though China will not receive the update. Apple’s move aligns with its strategy to integrate AI directly into its operating system rather than offering it as a separate app feature. Francisco Jeronimo, vice president of client devices at International Data Corporation, noted that this shift reflects Apple’s ambition to enhance user experience through intelligent hardware functionality. The announcement comes as Apple’s new CEO, John Ternus, takes over from Tim Cook, inheriting a company with a strong hardware ecosystem but facing pressure to innovate in AI. Jeronimo emphasized that the next phase of Apple’s success will depend on how effectively its hardware leverages AI for users. The update signifies Apple’s belated but significant entry into the AI competition, aiming to bridge the gap with competitors like Google and Microsoft.
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