Apple's Siri Upgrade: AI-Powered Search with Google Gemini Integration

Apple's Siri upgrade could reportedly be powered by Google Gemini | TechCrunch

Apple's Siri overhaul may include an AI-powered web search tool with technology powered by Google's Gemini, according to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The iPhone maker, which has been criticized for falling behind in the AI race, delayed its long-awaited Siri update until 2026. In the meantime, the company has been scrambling to determine whether its own AI models alone will work well enough to make its upgraded Siri competitive with the AI answer engines available today from tech companies like OpenAI, Perplexity, and Google. Per Bloomberg, Apple could be turning to Google for a solution to its problems. The report claims that Apple and Google reached a formal agreement this week that will see Apple testing a Google AI model in Siri. If successful, the technology could also be used in other areas of iPhone software, including the Safari browser and Spotlight search, which is available on the Home Screen. In previous years, Spotlight seemed to be ramping up to become a rival of sorts to Google, as it allowed iPhone users to bypass web searches to get basic answers about popular topics, like information about actors, musicians, TV shows, and movies, among other things. With AI chatbots, however, consumers can now source quick answers about a wide range of topics beyond those that could be found on Wikipedia. The report suggests that the upgraded search experience's interface will use a combination of text, photos, videos, and local points of interest, as well as an AI-powered summarization feature. It will also be able to tap into users' personal data and let them navigate their devices via voice.

Apple Reportedly Planning AI-Enhanced Siri With Search Tool in 2026

Macy has been working for CNET for coming on 2 years. Prior to CNET, Macy received a North Carolina College Media Association award in sports writing. Apple is preparing to unveil its iPhone 17 lineup next week but a major software update is also rumored to be on the horizon. The company is reportedly planning an AI-powered upgrade to Siri in iOS 26.4, arriving as early as March 2026. According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple is working on a new Siri feature called World Knowledge Answers, an AI-driven search tool designed to generate detailed responses that draw from web data, images, video and local information. Bloomberg wrote that Apple may be working with Google to test a custom version of its Gemini model to power parts of the search tool. Apple's own models will still handle personal data and device context, while Gemini may support Siri's new planning and summarizing functions. Apple and Google did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment. Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source on Chrome. While Siri will be the first app to gain the upgrade, Apple is reportedly planning to extend the search tool to Safari and Spotlight in the future. The release is positioned to roll out in the spring, months after next week's iPhone 17 hardware launch, underscoring Apple's effort to separate its next big AI move from its annual device release. By adding AI-driven search to Siri, Apple would be stepping into the same space as fast-growing rivals like OpenAI and Perplexity. The move signals Apple's intent to catch up in the generative AI race and position Siri as a more direct competitor to these existing services. (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET's parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against ChatGPT maker OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.) Apple's deeper integration with Google AI also comes as a court decision upheld much of the two tech giants' lucrative $20 billion arrangement, which allows Google to pay Apple billions of dollars annually to remain the default search engine in Safari. That ruling gives Apple financial breathing room as it experiments with new ways to handle web queries even as it tests its own AI alternatives.

Apple's rumored AI search tool for Siri could rely on Google

Apple is working on an AI-powered search feature for Siri - but it might need Google's help to make it happen, according to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. As noted by Gurman, Google is currently in the lead to help Apple revamp its voice assistant, which could involve using a custom Gemini model running on the iPhone maker's servers. The new feature, reportedly called "World Knowledge Answers" internally, will allow users to search for information and receive AI-generated summaries based on results from the web. Its interface will also incorporate text, photos, videos, and points of interest, allowing it to challenge the AI-powered search features from companies like OpenAI and Perplexity. Putting AI search into Siri is part of Apple's delayed plans to upgrade the voice assistant with new features that will let it tap into your personal data and perform actions based on the content on your screen. The new Siri will reportedly work by leveraging a planner, which helps interpret voice or text prompts, a search system to scan user data or the internet, and a summarizer to package all of this information for users. This week, Apple and Google reached a "formal agreement" for Apple to test a Google-designed AI model for Siri's summaries, according to Bloomberg. Apple reportedly plans to use its own AI models to search user data, but it's still evaluating Anthropic's Claude and Gemini for Siri's planning function. Even though Apple's set to take the wraps off its iPhone 17 lineup next week, the company is expected to launch the AI-upgraded Siri alongside iOS 26.4 as early as next March.

Apple's AI search engine could be driven by Google and help revive Siri, report says

The expected launch is in the spring as part of the Siri overhaul. Though Apple offers useful AI features through its Apple Intelligence suite, discussion of the company's AI efforts usually returns to one main sticking point: the delay of a revamped Siri. That launch has been highly anticipated, as it is supposed to push Siri's capabilities to a new level. The finished product is meant to take all of the personal context from your phone activities to function as a personal assistant -- a deeper integration than anything we have seen from other competitors. Also: Could Apple create an AI search engine to rival Gemini and ChatGPT? Here's how it could succeed At WWDC, the company said that the update was still coming, and a new Bloomberg report citing insiders reports significant strides to power that experience, including building an AI search engine. Building on a previous Bloomberg report, which found that Apple's recently assembled Answers, Knowledge, and Information (AKI) team was working on an "answer engine" that can provide responses to general knowledge questions, using the web, this report goes deeper into the new system referred to internally as World Knowledge Answers. Also: This handy Apple Intelligence feature saves me over $200 a year The service would be slated to release in the springtime with the launch of iOS 26.4, alongside the Siri overhaul, according to the report. This system would allow users to find information from the web right in Siri and Apple's operating system, with the added help of AI. You can find a roundup of other features the AI system would have, according to the report below: While rumors of an AI search engine from Apple are not new, the report does highlight that underpining the new system could be a Google-developed AI model. According to the report's sources, Google and Apple reached a formal agreement this week for Apple to test the model to power the voice assistant. Using Google's models might be a smart move for Apple, as the company has developed capable models and has experience dominating the search engine space for decades. According to StatCounter, as of August 2025, Google held 89.83% of the search engine market share worldwide, followed by Bing, which held only 3.95%. Google also knows how to incorporate AI into its search experience, with AI overviews and AI Mode, two different experiences that leverage AI to get information to users quicker and more easily. The AI search engine space has other players, such as Perplexity, which was built to be an AI-first search engine, and ChatGPT, which folded in what it originally called ChatGPT Search into its chatbot experience. Also: Can GPT-5 fix Apple Intelligence? We're about to find out All eyes will be on Apple next week as the company prepares to launch its iPhone 17 lineup, other products, and, most importantly for AI-afficionados, iOS 26. The operating system was launched at WWDC in June and includes an extensive suite of features that will add to the current Apple Intelligence experience, which users will be able to get simply by updating their devices.

Apple May Bring AI Search to Siri Next Year, Plans to Use Gemini Models

Don't miss out on our latest stories. Add PCMag as a preferred source on Google. Apple's struggles with an AI-powered version of Siri are now well known, but that's not stopping the brand from aiming big with an eventual launch. According to a new report, Apple intends to bring AI-powered web search to Siri to supercharge its answering capabilities helping it compete with ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and others. A new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman cites anonymous sources familiar with plans at Apple who say the brand is internally calling the tool World Knowledge Answers. It will allow Siri to sum up searches quickly through text, photos, video, and other multimedia elements. The sources say Apple intends to debut the feature with Siri, but it may eventually add the tech to its Safari browser and its Spotlight tool on iPhone that allows you to search from your device's home screen. The report says Apple is working with Google to provide models for an AI-powered search tool. Sources say Apple is now testing a Google-developed model that would be hosted on Apple's own Private Cloud Compute servers. This means the tool won't be branded with Google or Gemini, but it means it will be powered by those models behind the scenes. That's not a huge change of pace for either company as Apple has regularly worked with Google as its preferred search partner. Earlier this week, a US judge ruled Google's deal with Apple to make its search engine the default on all devices can continue. However, the judge confirmed there were caveats and changes for the deal to continue. It's thought Apple is paid $20 billion a year by Google to be its preferred search partner. Bloomberg's report says Apple is also considering launching its own chatbot, but right now it's focusing on bringing AI tech to its existing tools. That may mean a long wait for an Apple chatbot rival to ChatGPT. This new report also says Apple previously considered working with Anthropic using its Claude models for AI search. The sources claim Anthropic asked for $1.5 billion a year from Apple, which was more than what Google wanted. It's unclear what financial arrangement has been set between Apple and Google. Apple is set to dominate the headlines next week with its iPhone 17 launch event set for Sept. 9. The brand is expected to introduce four new smartphones, including the first ever iPhone to come with the Air branding.

Apple Plans AI-Powered Web Search Tool for Siri to Rival OpenAI, Perplexity

Apple Inc. is planning to launch its own artificial intelligence-powered web search tool next year, stepping up competition with OpenAI and Perplexity AI Inc. The company is working on a new system -- dubbed internally as World Knowledge Answers -- that will be integrated into the Siri voice assistant, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Apple has discussed also eventually adding the technology to its Safari web browser and Spotlight, which is used to search from the iPhone home screen.

Apple's latest AI project may be a web search tool

Apple continues to seek a foothold in the artificial intelligence race, and its next effort could bring the company into web search. Mark Gurman at reports that Apple is building a search platform that it may incorporate into its AI-driven overhaul of Siri. Sources said the tool, internally called World Knowledge Answers, could also be added to the Safari web browser and the Spotlight smartphone search interface. Apple's efforts in AI have been under the microscope since the of Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024. Since then, the company appears to still be foundering, with its revitalized and AI-empowered Siri now not due to arrive . This proposed search tool would be part of that planned Siri re-launch next spring. Some core aspects of Siri are still up in the air. The company has reportedly trialed to power a version of the AI assistant, although it hasn't committed to using that approach. Considering an outside partnership for this critical feature is one path Apple could take to bolstering its AI offerings. CEO Tim Cook has also said the company is to pursue its current roadmap. There were even rumors that the company snapping up Perplexity. Apple has historically avoided getting involved in search, but this development could reflect how more of its potential customers are turning to AI chatbots to access information online. And particularly if the company brings an AI option to Safari, Apple might be able to compete more directly to other tech majors that offer their own-branded chatbots, such as Google with Gemini or Microsoft with Copilot. It could also draw closer to parity with AI companies that are entering the browser game, such as and .

Apple Planning AI-Powered Web Search for Siri Next Year: Report

Apple is considering a custom-built version of Google's Gemini. Apple is planning to launch a new AI-powered web search tool for Siri next year, according to a new report from Bloomberg, as it seeks to compete with competitors who've invested heavily in AI. Details are still scarce and could change before launch, but it sounds like the whole thing could be powered by a custom version of Google's Gemini. The new system is being called World Knowledge Answers internally, according to Bloomberg, and may even be added to Safari and Spotlight. An AI-powered version of Siri has been long delayed, after Apple promised in 2024 that it would be available in June 2025. That, of course, was pushed back. The new AI features for Siri will likely create a search experience on Apple devices that utilizes the unique access it has to things like text, photos, and videos. And it's likely to create summaries based on web searches that are more powerful than what's available with the currently anemic Siri. But even if a custom-built Gemini is used for some functions like summarizing, it would probably run on Apple's own Private Cloud Compute servers in order to maintain privacy, according to Bloomberg. Google has already reportedly delivered Gemini's summarizing tech to Apple, but it's still being fine-tuned. Apple previously considered buying Perplexity but is no longer interested, according to the news outlet. Privacy has been a tricky problem to solve when tech companies tackle AI. OpenAI's Sam Altman has warned that anyone using ChatGPT as a therapist should know that there are no doctor-patient confidentiality laws for AI chatbots. And Signal's Meredith Whittaker has warned that agentic AI capabilities are extremely difficult to pull off in an encrypted way. Apple has gotten some heat from investors for seemingly slipping behind other startups in implementing AI. But there has been good reason to be cautious. Generative artificial intelligence often doesn't work as advertised, and there are a number of hurdles to making it safe. OpenAI has learned that lesson the hard way, as reports of AI psychosis flood the internet. But Cook has recently signaled that he understands how transformative the tech could be for Apple, dubbing the AI revolution "as big or bigger" than the internet during a global all-hands meeting last month. Apple's ramp-up with AI is expected to take some time, as Bloomberg notes. The company is announcing a new iPhone next week, but the device isn't expected to have any "major" new AI features.

Google closer to powering new Siri and Apple's AI search tool as Perplexity fades - 9to5Mac

While they're not exactly tying the knot yet, Siri and Gemini are making plans to spend a lot more time together. That's according to a new report that details the current state of Apple's delayed effort to upgrade Siri for the modern era. Apple has considered Google's Gemini AI as a potential solution to fuel the AI-powered version of Siri that's currently in development. No decision has been made, however, as Apple also tests its own AI models as well as OpenAI and Anthropic models. The new development today is that Apple and Google have "reached a formal agreement this week for Apple to evaluate and test a Google-developed AI model to help power the voice assistant," according to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg. The move follows a major court decision yesterday that essentially allowed Apple to continue receiving tens of billions of dollars in revenue from Google over its search engine being the default choice in Safari. Apple has been open about wanting to integrate with Google's Gemini AI since June 2024. When Apple announced Apple Intelligence with optional ChatGPT integration for world knowledge, it named Google's Gemini as a future candidate for being a data provider. No deal has reportedly been reached due to the pending court decision, but Apple is now free to continue the status quo with Google. However, there's another major detail in Mark Gurman's latest reporting. According to Gurman, Apple is developing an AI-powered search product it calls World Knowledge Answers. The report says the AI-backed web search feature is being targeted for release next year. Gurman connects the Gemini test deal to the Answers project, saying that Google's AI models could potentially run the AI search tool. If Apple does use Gemini for the enhanced Siri product, Gurman reports that Google's AI models will run on Apple's Private Cloud Compute servers. Separately, Apple plans to always use its models and servers for AI features involving user data. Lastly, Gurman says that Apple is no longer considering Perplexity as an acquisition target. Perplexity specializes in using models from leading AI companies to power its own search product. The AI startup had more appeal when Apple risked losing its business arrangements with Google Search. Apple announced the updated version of Siri at WWDC 2024. The company planned to release the more capable version during the iOS 18 release cycle, but officially delayed the project earlier this year. Apple is now expected to complete the project in time for a spring arrival in 2026.

Report: Apple is building an AI-powered web search for Siri

While we're still waiting for the new Apple Intelligence-infused Siri to arrive on our iPhones, a new report claims Apple's plans for its digital assistant go far beyond the scope outlined so far. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is working on a new AI-powered web search feature for Siri to rival OpenAI and Perplexity. The tool, dubbed "World Knowledge Answers" internally, is not a large-scale LLM (Large Language Model) chatbot, but rather relies on web crawling, search, and an LLM to provide answers from the web. According to the report, the system is meant to launch in spring 2026 as part of the big Siri overhaul, and would compete with ChatGPT, Google's AI search answers, and Perplexity when it comes to getting up-to-date information from the web. Apple may later bring the same system to Safari and Spotlight on the Mac. The report says the technology behind the new tool "could come in part" from Google. Apparently, the two companies came to a formal agreement just this week in which Apple will test a Google-developed AI model to power the future Siri upgrade. Perhaps coincidentally, a judge ruled this week that the two companies' lucrative partnership to make Google the default search engine on iPhones is allowed. The new search experience will have an interface that "makes use of" text, images, video, and local points of interest. There will also be AI summaries for longer results. This new search capability is just one part of a planned multi-faceted overhaul of Siri to take place next year. Also planned is the ability to understand and act with knowledge of the user's personal context, to read and understand what's on the screen, and to take actions within apps using an extensive set of app interfaces called "intents." All of this is currently planned for the OS update that should correspond to OS 26.4, due for release in the spring. There are other related AI features coming later, including a big visual redesign for Siri, an AI-powered health and wellness feature as part of a paid wellness subscription, and a big Siri update for home devices to make them more conversational.

LLM Siri With 'World Knowledge' Search Feature Coming in Early 2026

Apple plans to add an AI-powered web search tool to Siri next year, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The search tool will be an integrated Siri feature that will provide information on general search queries, similar to ChatGPT and Google's AI overviews for searches. Apple is calling the search feature World Knowledge Answers internally, and some Apple executives apparently refer to it as an "answer engine." It will be limited to Siri to begin with, but Apple could add it to Spotlight search and Safari in the future. Apple has also considered creating a chatbot-like app for search, though it is not clear if that will happen. Siri search will include an interface that supports text, photos, videos, and local points of interest, with Siri being able to summarize search results to provide an clear summary of content. The new Siri answer engine will be included in the Siri updates that Apple is introducing in 2026. Apple has been working on a smarter, more personalized version of Siri that was supposed to be introduced as part of iOS 18 earlier this year, but it was delayed. Apple couldn't get the first-generation Siri architecture that it was using to work properly, so Siri needed to be rebuilt from the ground up using a second-generation architecture that relies on large language models. In August, Apple software engineering chief Craig Federighi said that the overhauled Siri architecture was giving Apple the results that it needed, and that Apple was now in a position to "not just deliver what we announced, but to deliver a much bigger upgrade than we envisioned." The new Siri features have three systems that power them, including a planner that interprets voice or text input, the search system that looks through the web and the user's device, and a summarizer that provides the end answer to the user. Apple has been weighing using its own LLM models for these Siri elements or relying on an outside partner like OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google, and it sounds like progress has been made with Google. Apple and Google have apparently signed a formal agreement that will see Apple evaluating and testing a custom Google-designed Gemini AI model that could power some of the summarization Siri features. Apple is still testing models designed by Anthropic and its own in-house models for the planner functionality, though it could opt to use Google's AI models for that too. Apple's own Foundation Models will be used for searching user data, making sure customer data isn't processed using third-party models. The upcoming LLM version of Siri is on track to launch as early as March 2026 in an iOS 26.4 update. Along with the world knowledge feature, Siri will have the personalization capabilities that were promised in iOS 18. Siri will be able to use personal information like emails and messages to answer questions and help users find what they're looking for, plus it will be able to interact with on-screen content and do more within apps. Later in 2026, Siri will get a visual redesign and a built-in health feature that will be the backbone of a paid wellness subscription service.

Apple could launch its own AI search tool next spring -- powered by Google

Apple's AI rollout hasn't gone as smoothly as it would like, but it could be on the verge of something that may help it catch up with the likes of Open AI and Pexplexity. It's an AI search engine tool, internally known as "World Knowledge Answers" that will reportedly integrate into Siri. This report comes from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, who has the lowdown on the upcoming feature. Apparently, this new "answer engine" is expected to be released in spring, as part of the long-gestating Siri update -- which will bring a serious AI overhaul to the voice assistant. The goal is to try and push users to ask Siri for information from the internet, in a way that's described as similar to ChatGPT, Google's AI Overviews and other similar AI services. And like other AI search tools, it will apparently make use of text, photos, videos and "local points of interest." Which suggests to me this will be a multimodal tool -- something Apple sorely lacks. Naturally, it will also hinge on summarization technology, to help make the results easier to take in and more accurate than what Siri can do right now. Gurman also notes this technology could also make its way to the Safari browser and Apple's Spotlight search tool as well. But it sounds like this is way off in the future. Crucially, though, the technology powering the new engine is reportedly coming from Google. According to Gurman the two companies have come to an agreement that will see Apple "evaluate and test a Google-developed AI model" that will help power the new Siri. Google and Apple have had a long partnership when it comes to search, with Google paying billions of dollars every year to ensure its own search engine is the default option on iPhone. With the courts ruling that this partnership, currently valued at $20 billion, can continue, it makes sense that the two would be open to collaborating on an AI search tool as well. More so when you consider how well Google's mobile AI efforts have been working the past few years, it could help give Apple the leg-up its own AI ambitions sorely need.

Apple expected to launch an AI search engine to rival ChatGPT, and it could be powered by Google

Apple is said to be working on an AI-powered search engine that could be powered by Google, according to a top insider. Mark Gurman, Bloomberg's Apple expert, reports Apple is "planning to launch its own artificial intelligence-powered web search tool next year, stepping up competition with OpenAI and Perplexity AI Inc." This comes following previous reports that Apple was looking into potential opportunities to improve its AI offering, following the disappointing launch of Apple Intelligence nearly 12 months ago. Gurman has spoken to "people with knowledge on the matter" who claim the project is being called "World Knowledge Answers" and it will be integrated into an upgraded version of Siri. According to the report, some executives call the upcoming software an "answer engine," and Apple is "aiming to release the service in the spring." From Gurman's article, it sounds like World Knowledge Answers will work similarly to ChatGPT search or Google's AI Mode, allowing users to ask Siri for answers and listen as the voice assistant responds. Interestingly, Gurman claims the technology that's said to power this new feature could be powered by Google. He claims, "The companies reached a formal agreement this week for Apple to evaluate and test a Google-developed AI model to help power the voice assistant." This would come as no surprise, especially considering previous reports that Apple was interested in implementing Google's Gemini AI model into Apple Intelligence. Gurman says the "new search experience will include an interface that makes use of text, photos, video, and local points of interest, according to his sources. It will also offer an AI-powered summarization system designed to make results more quickly digestible and more accurate than what's offered by the current Siri." While this sounds incredibly promising, it's worth taking with a grain of salt, especially considering Apple's previous track record with launching AI-powered features. While Gurman is usually very accurate with his reports, so many things can change during the development of a product that is rumored to launch nearly 12 months from now. Apple is gearing up for its biggest week of the year when it reveals the iPhone 17 on September 9, and while we don't expect to see much from Apple Intelligence at the event, maybe the Cupertino-based company has an AI surprise lined up. Time will tell if this AI-powered Siri search engine comes to fruition, but considering the increase in popularity of generative AI tools, I suspect it could be a massive hit.

Apple is reportedly tapping Google to help with an AI search tool to rival OpenAI

This year's Apple event is just around the corner, but we're already getting a potential sneak peek at what's to come. According to Bloomberg, Apple is planning on launching an AI search tool, deeply integrated with its voice assistant Siri, known internally in the company as World Knowledge Answers. The "answer engine" is Apple's attempt at its own version of what OpenAI and Perplexity are doing with their AI search tools. Using large language models, Apple's AI search tool will allow users to look up information across the web with text, photos, videos, and "local points of interest." The AI search tool will provide users with the relevant information via an AI-generated summary from an overhauled Siri voice assistant. Along with its Siri integration, Apple plans to also integrate the tool in its Safari web browser as well as its Spotlight search tool on iOS devices. However, while Apple is reportedly working with OpenAI to bring the latest GPT-5 model to Apple Intelligence in iOS 26, the company is turning to Google to help with its AI search project, at least according to Bloomberg's well-sourced Apple forecaster Mark Gurman. Bloomberg notes that the iPhone maker entered into an agreement recently to test out the search giant's latest Gemini AI model with its Siri voice assistant. Interestingly, news of this deal comes after a federal judge barred Google from entering exclusive search deals with companies like Apple. In its current form, Apple's voice assistant Siri appears extremely outdated when compared to its AI counterparts like OpenAI's ChatGPT. Siri is left providing basic information to users while competitors can provide longer, more deeply researched, back-and-forth responses in a conversational tone. Since Apple announced its own AI suite of tools, Apple Intelligence, a long-awaited Siri overhaul has been planned, but has yet to come to fruition. That very well may change soon, as Apple is in the midst of rebuilding Siri for the AI era. While the current Siri is built upon Apple's own technology, the company is looking towards utilizing third-party AI models for the new version of its voice assistant. Bloomberg reports that Apple is leaning towards utilizing Google's Gemini model, which would run on Apple's own servers, for the summarization of Siri's output to users. In addition, Apple has reportedly been utilizing Gemini, Anthropic PBC's Claude, and its own in-house models for summarization and AI search. As Bloomberg reports, Anthropic's request of $1.5 billion annually from Apple might push the company to go with Google instead. The new Siri still isn't scheduled to debut for some time, though. However, Apple's upcoming September event could include a first look at the new AI-powered Siri.

Apple could launch its own rival to ChatGPT and Perplexity next year

In less than a year, Siri might evolve into an AI-powered, web-tethered answering engine. Apple is reportedly working on its own AI-powered knowledge engine that will be integrated within Siri. The idea is to let Siri handle queries where it must tap into the internet and act more like a web search tool. What's on the desk? "The company is working on a new system -- dubbed internally as World Knowledge Answers -- that will be integrated into the Siri voice assistant," reports Bloomberg. At the moment, if you ask Siri a question that is complex or requires deep research on the internet, the query is offloaded to ChatGPT. This integration with ChatGPT landed with the arrival of Apple Intelligence last year. Recommended Videos The upcoming tool, which some executives are referring to as an "answer engine," might eventually get integrated within Safari and Spotlight, as well. Apple is reportedly planning to release this AI-powered web search tool next year. What's the outlook? So far, Apple has remained a laggard in the AI race, while companies like Microsoft and Gemini have leveled up their digital assistants with Copilot and Gemini, respectively. The advent of competitors such as ChatGPT and Perplexity has further complicated the situation for Siri. But it seems Apple finally has a solution in development. "The idea is to make Siri and Apple's operating systems a place where users can look up information from across the internet -- in a similar fashion to ChatGPT, AI Overviews in Google Search, and a crop of new apps," adds the Bloomberg report. The AI-powered web search tool will also be able to process text and visual input, and offer a knowledge summarization tool similar to Google AI Overviews. Additionally, Apple is also working on what many are calling an "AI brain transplant" for Siri, or LLM Siri, for a 2026 release.

Frustrated Wall Street analysts want Apple to buy Perplexity. It's reportedly planning to beef up Siri to beat it instead

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who has deep connections within Apple, the company plans to launch an AI-powered search feature called "World Knowledge Answers," integrated into Siri, by early next year. This system will function as an "answer engine" similar to ChatGPT and Google's AI overviews, providing summarized responses to search queries. The new Siri architecture represents a complete rebuild using large language models, moving away from the first-generation system that Apple couldn't make work properly. The company has been testing partnerships with Google for AI models, while keeping its own models for processing user data to maintain privacy standards. Apple's approach differs significantly from competitors who have invested tens of billions in AI cloud infrastructure. Instead, the company maintains its "asset-light strategy," focusing on on-device processing and selective partnerships rather than massive data-center investments. Apple's struggles in AI have become painfully evident to Wall Street observers. While the company's stock has rebounded recently, only down roughly 2.5% year-to-date, it's the worst performer among all Magnificent Seven stocks and the only one with a negative return so far this year. This disappointing performance comes as competitors like Nvidia and Microsoft have surged to new highs, capitalizing on the AI boom that Apple has seemingly watched from the sidelines. Prominent analysts, led by Wedbush Securities' Dan Ives, have repeatedly called for Apple to acquire Perplexity, the fast-growing AI search engine that has captured significant market attention. Ives described such a deal as a "no-brainer" that could cost Apple around $30 billion for a company currently valued at approximately $18-20 billion. The acquisition would provide Apple with an immediate AI search capability that could transform both Siri and Safari, giving the company a legitimate competitor to Google's search dominance. Perplexity even has its own web browser now, called Comet, and it's mighty impressive in its own right. "With the AI revolution, Apple is on the outside looking in," Ives told Investor's Business Daily, adding, "This is an F1 race at Monza in Italy, and [CEO Tim] Cook is watching it from the stands." Perplexity has demonstrated remarkable growth, processing 780 million queries as of May with over 20% month-over-month growth. The company now boasts 22 million active users and has achieved $150 million in annual recurring revenue, up from just $35 million a year earlier. This trajectory has attracted significant investor interest, with backing from Nvidia, SoftBank, and Jeff Bezos. The shift toward AI-powered search represents a fundamental change in how users find information online. Recent surveys indicate that 83% of users prefer AI search tools over traditional Google searches, citing efficiency and the ability to receive comprehensive answers without clicking through multiple links. This trend has created opportunities for companies like Perplexity and OpenAI, which recently announced plans to launch its own AI-powered browser to challenge Google Chrome. OpenAI's browser is expected to leverage ChatGPT's 500+ million weekly active users to pressure Google's advertising revenue stream, which accounts for nearly 75% of Alphabet's income. Google's search market share has begun to show cracks, falling below 90% for the first time since 2015. While multiple factors contribute to this decline, the growing popularity of AI-driven search tools appears to be a significant driver of change. Apple has historically preferred organic growth and smaller, technology-focused acquisitions rather than large strategic purchases. Its largest acquisition to date remains the $3 billion purchase of Beats in 2014. However, the AI revolution may require Apple to abandon this cautious approach. With a market capitalization exceeding $3 trillion and annual share buybacks of $100 billion, the company certainly has the financial resources to make transformative acquisitions. The timeline for Apple's internal AI search solution suggests the company believes it can compete without major acquisitions. If successful, the March 2026 launch of enhanced Siri capabilities could address many investor concerns and demonstrate that Apple's patient approach to AI development can still yield competitive results.

Apple Plans AI Search Tool Powered by Google Gemini, Leaves Perplexity Out

The update will enable Siri to handle more complex queries by tapping LLMs. Apple is preparing to launch an AI-based web search service next year, stepping up competition with OpenAI and Perplexity AI, Bloomberg reported. The system, internally known as World Knowledge Answers, will be integrated with Siri and could later expand to Safari and Spotlight. The new feature, described by Apple executives as an answer engine, is expected to arrive next Spring as part of a broader Siri overhaul. "The work we've done on this end-to-end revamp of Siri has given us the results we needed," Craig Federighi, head of software engineering at Apple, reportedly told employees in a recent all-hands meeting. The update will enable Siri to handle more complex queries by tapping LLMs. Apple is testing models from Google and Anthropic, while continuing to use its own Apple

Siri gets smarter! Apple building AI search tool to rival OpenAI, Perplexity, may launch in Spring 2026

Apple is working on a new AI search tool called World Knowledge Answers. It will first come inside Siri and may arrive in spring 2026. The tool will compete with OpenAI and Perplexity. Apple also plans to bring it to Safari and Spotlight. This shows Apple's big push in artificial intelligence. Apple is building its own AI-powered web search tool that could launch in spring 2026, aiming to compete with OpenAI and Perplexity AI. The project is called World Knowledge Answers inside Apple, and it will first be built into Siri. Later, Apple may also add this AI search system to Safari browser and Spotlight, which is the iPhone home screen search tool, reports say. Some Apple executives call it an "answer engine", and it will be part of a big Siri overhaul that has been delayed for years. The tool will work like ChatGPT, Google's AI Overviews, and other new AI apps, relying on large language models (LLMs) to answer questions. Apple has made a deal to test a Google-made AI model to help power the new Siri, showing that Apple may partly rely on Google technology, as reported by Bloomberg. The new AI search will show text, photos, videos, and local info and will also give AI summaries that are faster and clearer than Siri today. Apple and Google both declined to comment on these plans. After Bloomberg's report, Apple's stock jumped 3.8% to $238.47, the biggest one-day rise in almost a month. Right now, Siri can answer basic questions, but it struggles with complex searches and often uses Google or ChatGPT for results. Siri was first released in 2011, but it now shows Apple's weakness in AI compared to rivals. This week, a U.S. judge allowed Apple to keep Google as the default search engine, a deal worth about $20 billion a year, as per the report. Apple's Eddy Cue testified earlier that Google search queries from Apple devices have dropped for the first time in 20 years, calling AI rivals "formidable competitors". With the Google deal secured, Apple may feel less pressure to rush, but the AI search project continues. The Siri revamp, called Linwood and LLM Siri, will let Siri use personal data and on-screen content to give better answers, as stated in the report by Bloomberg. Siri will also be able to navigate iPhones and iPads more precisely by voice. Craig Federighi, Apple's software chief, told employees the Siri revamp will deliver a "much bigger upgrade than we envisioned". The project involves multiple teams: Federighi's Siri group, John Giannandrea's AI team, and Eddy Cue's services unit. Vision Pro creator Mike Rockwell and ex-Siri chief Robby Walker are also leading roles. Apple plans to use the same AI search system for both internet search and on-device search, helping people quickly find images, files, and more. Apple even thought about making a chatbot-style search app, and it has formed a new AKI (Answers, Knowledge, and Information) team to support the work. The new Siri and search will ship in iOS 26.4, codenamed Luck E, which could arrive as soon as March 2026, as per the Bloomberg report. The first version of iOS 26 will launch this month with the iPhone 17 lineup, but without major new AI features. Siri's new AI system will have three core parts: a planner (to interpret input), a search system (for web + device), and a summarizer (to deliver answers). Apple is considering using third-party AI models like Google's Gemini or Anthropic's Claude, along with its own models, under a project called Glenwood. Apple is leaning toward using a custom Google Gemini model for the summarizer, running on Apple's Private Cloud Compute servers. Apple will still use its own Apple Foundation Models for searching private user data, to keep privacy protections. Anthropic's Claude was originally in the lead, but it was too expensive ($1.5 billion/year), while Google offered better financial terms. Last year, Apple even talked to Google about integrating Gemini chatbot into Siri, but ended up partnering with OpenAI temporarily. Beyond search, Apple also plans a visual redesign of Siri and a health AI agent for a paid wellness service in 2026. Apple is working on another Siri update to make it more conversational for future home devices. The AI push comes as Apple tries to catch up in AI after falling behind rivals. The delays forced Apple to reshuffle executives earlier this year, as per the report by Bloomberg. Apple also looked at buying AI startups like Perplexity and Mistral. Talks with Mistral happened as recently as July, but Apple dropped Perplexity plans. Instead of acquisitions, Apple is pushing its own search tool, which will compete directly with Perplexity's offering. But Apple faces problems: its Foundation Models team is losing staff. Founder Ruoming Pang left for Meta in July with a $200M pay package. Since Pang's exit, around 10 more researchers left for Meta, and others joined OpenAI and Anthropic. Just last week, key AI staff, John Peebles and Nan Du (to OpenAI) and Meng Zhao (to Anthropic), also quit Apple. More Apple AI researchers are actively interviewing for jobs elsewhere, showing Apple's struggle to keep talent, as reported by Bloomberg. Q1. When will Apple launch its AI search tool? Apple is planning to launch its new AI search tool inside Siri in spring 2026, as reported by Bloomberg. Q2. How is Apple's AI search different from Google and OpenAI? Apple's AI search will give text, photos, videos, and AI summaries directly in Siri, aiming to be faster and more private than Google or ChatGPT.

Apple Plans Siri AI Upgrade To Outpace Perplexity As Wall Street Pushes $30 Billion Buyout: Report - Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)

Apple Inc. AAPL is reportedly developing its own artificial intelligence-powered web search tool, internally dubbed "World Knowledge Answers," for integration into Siri by 2026. Check out the current price of APPL stock here. Perplexity AI demonstrates the growth Apple seeks, processing 780 million queries with over 20% month-over-month growth and achieving $150 million in annual recurring revenue, according to a Fortune report. The startup has attracted backing from Nvidia Corp. NVDA, SoftBank and Amazon.com Inc. founder Jeff Bezos. World Knowledge Answers Take Shape The new system will function as an "answer engine" similar to ChatGPT and Alphabet Inc.'s GOOG GOOGL Google AI overviews, providing summarized responses to search queries, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported, citing sources. Apple and Google reached a formal agreement for Apple to evaluate Google-developed AI models to help power the voice assistant. Apple executives reportedly held internal discussions about potentially acquiring Perplexity AI, with Mergers and Acquisitions head Adrian Perica discussing the possibility with services chief Eddy Cue. Apple did not immediately respond to Benzinga's request for comment. Analyst Pressure Mounts for Bold AI Moves Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives has also called a Perplexity acquisition a "no-brainer," estimating the deal would cost approximately $30 billion for a company valued at $18-20 billion. "With the AI revolution, Apple is on the outside looking in," Ives told Investor's Business Daily. Josh Brown of Ritholtz Wealth Management projected Apple shares would hit all-time highs if the company acquired Perplexity. Apple's stock has underperformed among the Magnificent Seven companies this year, down roughly 2.5% year-to-date as the only member with negative returns. See Also: Trump's Nvidia Export Deal Collides With AI GAIN Act -- Chipmaker Warns New Bill Could Cripple Global Competition Market Position According to Benzinga Pro data, the tech giant closed at $239.69 on Friday, up 0.03%. Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings indicate that AAPL has a positive price trend across all time frames. Know how its momentum lines up with other well-known names. Read Next: Mark Cuban Once Said First Trillionaire Could Be 'One Dude In A Basement' -- Now He's Putting AI Tools Directly In High School Classrooms Photo Courtesy: hanohiki on Shutterstock.com AAPLApple Inc$239.23-0.23%Stock Score Locked: Edge Members Only Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Unlock RankingsEdge RankingsMomentum47.59Growth29.94Quality72.35Value8.65Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewGOOGAlphabet Inc$235.001.01%GOOGLAlphabet Inc$234.701.03%NVDANVIDIA Corp$166.09-3.24%Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Apple Developing AI-Powered Web Search Tool for Siri and Safari | PYMNTS.com

Apple did not immediately reply to PYMNTS' request for comment. PYMNTS reported in November 2024 that innovation in search is getting a shot in the arm by AI-powered chat interfaces that are challenging traditional models. While Google has reigned supreme as the global leader in online search, a shifting technology is setting the stage for intensified competition from alternative search engines and AI-powered platforms. The share of those searches in the United States that went to chatbots rather than traditional search engines reached 5.6% in June, up from 2.48% in June 2024 and 1.3% in January 2024. Wednesday's report came at a time when Apple has been facing mounting criticism that the company has lagged in the AI race. It was reported in August that Apple held a rare companywide meeting to cover its investment in AI and that CEO Tim Cook expressed a positive outlook about the company's AI future, saying Apple has "exciting" plans for the technology that he wasn't able to discuss.

Google to the rescue? Apple may use Gemini to power improved Siri

Apple has already signed a formal agreement with Google to evaluate and test a Google-developed AI model to help power the voice assistant. Apple is preparing a major upgrade to Siri, and it may need Google's help to pull it off. According to Bloomberg, the iPhone maker is working on a new search feature, dubbed internally as World Knowledge Answers, for Siri which it plans to launch next year. Apple has already signed a formal agreement with Alphabet Inc.'s Google to evaluate and test a Google-developed AI model to help power the voice assistant, according to the report. The new feature will likely let Siri deliver smarter responses by pulling information from the web and presenting it in an easy-to-read summary. The interface is expected to include text, photos, videos, and even points of interest. This would put it in direct competition with AI-powered search tools from companies like OpenAI and Perplexity. The upgraded Siri might also be able to understand personal data on your device and take action based on what's on your screen. Also read: TVs, ACs and other appliances may get cheaper after GST reduction: Check full list The tech giant is said to be rebuilding Siri around three main parts: a planner, a search system, and a summariser. The planner is expected to process voice or text input to determine the best response; the search system will likely explore the web or user data; and the summariser is said to combine everything into a final answer. "Apple has been recently leaning toward using a custom-built Google Gemini model for the summarizer," the report said. Apple still plans to rely on its own AI models when searching through private user data. At the same time, the company is also considering AI models from Anthropic's Claude and Google's Gemini for Siri's planning abilities. Also read: Apple's lead AI robotics researcher moves to Meta, three more key researchers depart While Apple is expected to introduce its new iPhone 17 models next week, the AI-powered Siri isn't likely to arrive until March 2026.