Apple has announced a complete overhaul of its Siri personal assistant, introducing a new version named Siri AI that integrates advanced artificial intelligence technology at its foundation.
The unveiling of Siri AI was one of the highlights during the opening session of the 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) held at Apple Park in Cupertino, California.
According to Apple, Siri AI will offer a more individualized voice interaction, aiming for a sound that is less robotic and more human-like compared to the existing Siri voice. Users will have the ability to customize the speed, tone, and accent of the Siri AI experience. The revamped assistant will be capable of accessing and engaging with all applications and data on a user’s iPhone, while ensuring robust privacy measures are in place, noted Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering.
“AI is a remarkably powerful tool,” Federighi remarked, highlighting the importance of responsible development. “Yet, some seem to be racing ahead to create ‘AI for AI’s sake,’ neglecting the needs of the users.”
This next iteration represents a transformative leap for Siri, according to Federighi.
To enhance Siri's capabilities, Apple is leveraging Google’s Gemini AI model. Earlier this year, Apple and Google entered into a multi-year agreement for Google's AI to contribute to future features of Apple Intelligence, including the upgraded Siri expected to launch this year.
Additionally, Apple is introducing a standalone Siri app designed to help users revisit previous conversations or initiate new ones—fully synchronized across devices via iCloud.
Siri AI will also bring a novel “Siri mode” to the iPhone camera, empowering users to engage with their environment. For instance, by aiming the camera at a meal, users can receive nutritional information. Apple explained that tapping the shutter will enable Siri to interpret the visual input and deliver relevant insights. This camera mode will also facilitate tasks such as splitting expenses using Apple Cash.
The initial rollout of Siri AI will be in English in beta later this year, primarily targeting the U.S. and other countries, with future expansions into additional languages. Federighi indicated that the new features won't be available in the European Union initially as Apple navigates local privacy legislation. Moreover, Siri AI will not be accessible in China while the company addresses regulatory necessities.
Apple clarified that the most advanced on-device capabilities of Siri AI will be supported on the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPad models (M4) that include at least 12 gigabytes of unified memory, as well as on Mac devices (M3) equipped with similar memory specifications. The enriched voices and models will also be available on the Apple Vision Pro (M5).
Traditionally, CEO Tim Cook kicked off the WWDC keynote, which may mark one of his final public presentations before he transitions to the role of executive chairman in September, passing the CEO title to John Ternus, senior VP of hardware engineering.
A movie-trailer-style preview showcasing Siri AI was also presented, building anticipation for its release.
