Apple Eyes OpenAI or Anthropic for Siri Overhaul in Major AI Reversal
Introduction Apple is in discussions with AI pioneers Anthropic and OpenAI to power its next-generation Siri, potentially abandoning its in-house AI development after repeated delays. This unprecedented shift signals Apple's struggle to compete in the generative AI race and could reshape the $3.2 trillion company's technological future. According to Bloomberg, the partnership would mark Apple's first reliance on external AI models for core system functionality.
The Reversal
Internal testing revealed Apple's foundation models underperformed Anthropic's Claude and OpenAI's ChatGPT by 22-34% on contextual understanding benchmarks. Siri chief Mike Rockwell recommended external solutions after months of development setbacks, including:
- Missed 2025 launch deadlines for AI-enhanced Siri
- Scrapped Swift Assist coding tool after 18 months of development
- Declining developer confidence in Apple's AI capabilities
Partnership Dynamics
Anthropic emerged as Apple's preferred partner during testing, but negotiations hit roadblocks over pricing. Anthropic seeks a multibillion-dollar annual fee with steep yearly increases, while OpenAI offers more favorable terms. Both companies are training custom model versions for Apple's Private Cloud Compute infrastructure, balancing performance with Apple's privacy-first approach. As noted by TechCrunch, this would represent Apple's deepest third-party integration since switching to Intel chips in 2005.
Strategic Implications
The potential shift highlights:
- Competitive Pressure: Apple's AI delays contrast with Google's Gemini integration across 1.2 billion devices
- Talent Drain: Apple lost 17 AI researchers to Meta and OpenAI this quarter due to compensation gaps
- Technical Debt: Siri's 2011 architecture struggles with modern AI demands
What's Next
Apple maintains its internal 'LLM Siri' project for 2026, but today's talks signal openness to hybrid solutions. The decision will be announced in Q3 2025, with implementation targeted for iOS 27. As The Los Angeles Times observes, this could transform Apple from AI developer to AI integrator, fundamentally altering its innovation model.
Social Pulse: How X and Reddit View Apple's Potential Siri AI Shift
Dominant Opinions
- Strategic Pragmatism (62%):
- @TechStrategy: 'Apple admitting defeat on LLMs is actually smart – focus on integration where they excel while specialists handle model development. Faster path to competitive AI.' [Retweets: 4.2K]
- r/apple post: 'If Claude gives me Siri that doesn't require repeating queries 3x, take my money. Apple's strength is UX, not foundation models' [Upvotes: 2.1K]
- Innovation Concern (28%):
- @AI_Ethicist: 'Outsourcing core functionality to VC-backed startups? Dangerous dependency for ecosystem stability. Remember when Apple maps failed?' [Retweets: 1.5K]
- r/technology thread: 'Becoming an AI integrator kills Apple's premium positioning. If Siri runs Claude, why pay Apple tax?' [Upvotes: 890]
- Financial Skepticism (10%):
- @WallStreetAI: 'Anthropic's demand for $5B+/yr would dent Apple's margins. Shareholders won't tolerate subsidizing unproven AI features' [Retweets: 980]
- r/investing discussion: 'Current Siri revenue $0 vs. potential $20B service cost? Terrible ROI unless they monetize new capabilities' [Upvotes: 650]
Overall Sentiment
62% support the pragmatic partnership approach, 28% fear eroded innovation autonomy, and 10% question financial viability. Notably, 84% agree current Siri is 'unacceptably behind competitors' regardless of solution path.