Apple has announced a delay in rolling out some anticipated artificial intelligence (AI) enhancements to its voice assistant, Siri. Originally slated for release in 2025, the new features are now expected to arrive in 2026, marking a significant shift in the company’s timeline for its AI-powered advancements.
The iPhone maker had previously emphasized its commitment to making Siri more intelligent and personalized. In a statement released on Friday, Apple said, “We have been working on a more personalized Siri, giving it more awareness of your personal context, as well as the ability to take action for you within and across your apps. It’s going to take us longer than we thought to deliver on these features, and we anticipate rolling them out in the coming year.”
The planned improvements to Siri are part of Apple’s broader push into AI, a space where the company has faced increasing competition from rivals such as Google and OpenAI. Apple has been working to enhance Siri’s contextual understanding, enabling it to execute complex, multi-step tasks across different applications seamlessly. This development is expected to position Siri as a more proactive and intuitive digital assistant, rather than just a voice-activated responder.
However, Apple has historically taken a cautious approach to AI, prioritizing user privacy and on-device processing over cloud-based models used by competitors. This strategy, while reinforcing Apple’s reputation for strong data security, may have also contributed to delays in rolling out cutting-edge AI capabilities.
Despite the delay, Apple continues to push forward with its AI agenda. At its recent Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), the company introduced Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI-powered tools designed to enhance user experiences across its ecosystem. These include improvements to writing assistance, image editing, and device personalization, all of which set the stage for Siri’s upcoming enhancements.
While Apple users may be disappointed by the delay, the company’s decision to take additional time suggests a commitment to refining its AI capabilities before launch. As AI-driven voice assistants become more integral to daily digital interactions, Apple’s long-term vision for Siri remains a critical part of its innovation strategy.