Apple Plans Major Siri Overhaul with AI Search Tool for 2026

Apple Inc. is reportedly planning a significant overhaul of its virtual assistant, Siri, with a powerful new AI-driven search tool set to launch as early as March 2026. The feature, internally dubbed “World Knowledge Answers,” is designed to provide comprehensive, summarized responses to user queries, positioning Apple to compete more directly in the burgeoning generative AI landscape.

The upgraded Siri, expected to arrive with an iOS 26.4 update, will function as an “answer engine” capable of drawing from web data, images, video, and local information to generate detailed answers. This marks a strategic shift for Apple, which aims to transform Siri from a simple command-based assistant into a sophisticated conversational tool that can rival services from OpenAI and Perplexity. The initiative stems from a complete rebuild of Siri's architecture using large language models (LLMs) to enhance its capabilities.

To power some of these advanced features, , specifically for summarization and planning functions. However, Apple intends to use its own Foundation Models for any processes involving personal user data, ensuring customer privacy remains under its control. This potential collaboration deepens the ties between the two tech giants, coming shortly after a court decision upheld their .

The AI-enhanced Siri was initially anticipated with iOS 18 but was delayed as the company re-architected the system from the ground up. With the new LLM-based framework in place, the company is now on track for a more ambitious release. According to reports, the new Siri is on track to , with the search capabilities extending to Safari and Spotlight in the future. This timeline underscores Apple's strategy to separate major AI software advancements from its annual hardware release cycle, signaling a focused effort to catch up and innovate in the AI race.