Apple is expected to make a significant change to its AI strategy: the company will allow its voice assistant Siri to work with a range of third-party AI chatbots, rather than relying on a single partner.
The move, likely to arrive with iOS 27, would enable users to direct queries through different AI services, including models developed by Google and Anthropic, alongside OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The change is Apple’s effort to position the iPhone as a flexible AI platform rather than a tightly controlled ecosystem centered on proprietary tools.
For many, the move is long overdue. Siri has lagged behind more advanced conversational AI systems. Apple’s earlier decision to incorporate ChatGPT was an attempt to close that gap without building a full-scale LLM internally. Now the company appears to be expanding that approach by embracing multiple AI providers at once.
A Menu of Chatbots
Under the plan, users would select their preferred chatbot through a new system tied to Apple’s software settings. Once configured, Siri could pass requests to the chosen service, effectively acting as a routing layer between the user and various AI engines. The functionality is expected to extend beyond iPhones to other Apple devices, including tablets and desktop systems.
This approach departs from the exclusivity that has defined many of Apple’s past partnerships. Instead of committing to a single AI provider, the company is opting for a more open framework that allows competing services to coexist. The decision may boost Apple’s standing in a fast-moving market where the relative strengths of AI models can shift quickly.
By enabling access to third-party AI subscriptions through its App Store, Apple could collect a share of revenue generated by those services, creating a monetization path tied directly to the growing demand for advanced AI tools.
Greater Complexity
Apple has faced delays in delivering a more advanced version of Siri powered by its own AI models. Internal challenges have slowed progress, prompting the company to seek external solutions as an interim measure. Opening Siri to multiple AI providers offers a way to enhance functionality without waiting for in-house systems to mature.
By giving users the ability to choose, Apple avoids having to predict which service will remain competitive over time. If one model falls out of favor, others can fill the gap without requiring major changes to the platform.
But the multi-platform approach introduces complexity. Integrating multiple AI systems raises questions about consistency and quality control. Different models may produce varying responses, and ensuring a seamless user experience across them will be a technical challenge, if it is even possible.
Apple is expected to outline more details at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, where iOS 27 will likely be previewed.
