Apple's Long-Promised AI Overhaul for Siri Faces Software Bugs and Possible Delays

Apple Inc.’s much-anticipated overhaul of its Siri voice assistant is running into significant engineering and software challenges, raising concerns about potential delays in its release, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Apple first introduced the AI-enhanced Siri at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June last year, promising advanced capabilities powered by Apple Intelligence.

The tech giant even promoted these new features to customers, but insiders reveal that Apple is still struggling to finalize the software. Some AI-driven Siri functionalities, initially slated for April, may now be pushed to May or beyond due to unresolved technical issues.

Siri’s AI Makeover: A Critical Component of Apple Intelligence

Siri’s transformation is a pivotal part of the Apple Intelligence ecosystem, the company’s strategic effort to close the gap with competitors in artificial intelligence and boost iPhone sales. However, even before these Siri setbacks, Apple Intelligence had an uneven rollout. Since its phased launch in October 2023, some features, such as AI-powered news summaries, have faced criticism for bugs and inconsistencies.

Apple Struggles to Keep Up with AI Rivals

Siri’s evolution is not just a feature upgrade—it represents Apple’s efforts to regain its lost ground in AI innovation. The digital assistant, once a trailblazer in voice recognition technology, has now been outpaced by OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Meta’s Llama.

Apple originally pioneered voice-assisted AI with Siri’s launch in 2011, but the assistant’s slow progress has underscored the company’s AI shortcomings. With AI dominance now a key battleground among tech giants, Apple is under immense pressure to deliver a Siri upgrade that competes with cutting-edge generative AI models.

Apple’s AI Development in China: A Separate Challenge

Apple’s Siri upgrade is distinct from its AI expansion in China. To comply with Chinese regulations, Apple is collaborating with Alibaba Group and Baidu Inc. to develop AI features tailored for the Chinese market, as reported by a news agency on Thursday.

Three Key AI-Powered Enhancements Coming to Siri

At WWDC 2023, Apple introduced three major AI-powered Siri upgrades:

1. Personalized Query Handling – Siri will leverage a user’s personal data to provide more relevant answers and perform actions more efficiently.

2. Enhanced App Control – The assistant will feature a system that enables more precise control over apps.

3. On-Screen Context Awareness – Siri will recognize what’s displayed on a user’s screen and use that context to assist more effectively.

Apple had hinted that these upgrades wouldn’t be widely available until 2025, but internally, the company aimed to introduce them in iOS 18.4, scheduled for April. Now, with software issues persisting, Apple may push these features to iOS 18.5, expected in May.

How AI-Driven Siri Will Change User Experience

Apple’s ultimate goal is to make Siri a more versatile and intuitive assistant. With the new AI-powered Siri, users could:

• Retrieve a file or song they discussed with a friend over text.

• Quickly locate important information, such as a driver’s license number, by scanning photos.

• Seamlessly search emails and messages to find travel reservations or flight details.

However, internal Apple testers report inconsistent performance, and the much-anticipated search functionality—demonstrated in Apple’s preview—might be one of the delayed features.

Possible Temporary Workarounds

One option Apple is considering is releasing iOS 18.4 with some Siri features turned off by default. The company could then enable them in iOS 18.5, ensuring only stable and tested features reach users initially.

Impact on Apple’s AI-Powered Smart Home Hub

Delays in Siri’s AI capabilities could also affect Apple’s upcoming smart home hub. This AI-powered device will control smart home appliances and FaceTime, and it relies on a key Siri enhancement called App Intents. A delay in this technology may push back the launch of Apple’s smart home hub as well.

Apple Faces Internal AI Challenges Despite Marketing Push

Despite a massive marketing push for Apple Intelligence, the company faces internal struggles in meeting AI development deadlines. Insiders reveal that some Apple engineers believe the AI rollout was rushed to appease investors and compete in the rapidly evolving AI market.

Tim Cook’s Optimistic Outlook on Apple Intelligence

Following Apple’s quarterly results, CEO Tim Cook reaffirmed the company’s commitment to AI innovation, stating:

“Apple Intelligence opens up an exciting new frontier and is already elevating experiences across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.”

However, market performance tells a different story. iPhone sales declined by 1% in the holiday quarter, indicating that AI features have not yet driven significant upgrades. Cook noted that the iPhone 16 performed better in regions where Apple Intelligence was available, offering some hope for future adoption.

Apple Reshapes AI Leadership to Overcome Challenges

To accelerate AI progress, Apple recently appointed Kim Vorrath, a veteran software executive known for refining iPhone and Vision Pro software, to a senior role in the AI team. The overall AI strategy is led by John Giannandrea, a former Google AI executive who joined Apple in 2018.

Delayed AI Features Could Impact iOS 19 Development

The gradual rollout of Apple Intelligence is causing delays in Apple’s broader software roadmap. The company is already preparing major updates for the iPhone 17 launch this fall, but setbacks in iOS 18 features could ripple into iOS 19 development, possibly pushing some planned AI upgrades to 2026.

More AI Features Awaited Beyond Siri

Apple users are also anticipating additional Apple Intelligence features, including:

• AI-driven mail sorting on iPad and Mac.

• Priority notifications for highlighting critical alerts.

• Sketch-style image creation in Image Playground.

While the AI-powered mail feature is expected to roll out with iPadOS 18.4 and macOS 15.4, some other AI tools may face further delays.

The Road to a Conversational Siri: What’s Next?

Apple’s Siri overhaul in 2024 is just the beginning. The company is reportedly working on an even more advanced version of Siri, designed to be:

• More conversational and context-aware.

• Comparable to ChatGPT in AI intelligence.

• Able to process complex multi-step commands.

This next-gen Siri upgrade is planned for release as early as 2026, according to reports.