Apple is set to release an all-new Siri with Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1 this fall. The revamped digital assistant is expected to be smarter than ever with a host of new features. However, a new report claims that Apple is also working on another AI “personality” entirely separate from Siri, built for future Apple robotic devices.
Next-gen Siri isn't next-gen enough for Apple's robotics
Apple Intelligence arrives in iOS 18.1, giving you your first experience with the new and improved Siri.
But Apple's digital assistant journey is just getting started: Many of Siri's most powerful new features aren't due to arrive until 2025.
Despite all this excitement over Siri, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple is already developing a separate personality.
The news was announced in a longer article outlining Apple's efforts in robotics.
Gurman wrote in his Power On newsletter:
One of the key parts of developing robots is creating a personality. While Siri is the digital assistant in Apple's current devices, the company is working on developing a different human-like interface based on generative AI. We've heard this interface could work in tabletop products and upcoming Apple robotic devices.
This paragraph raises some interesting questions about Siri's future.
Why would Apple's robotic products need individual personalities? Will the generative AI behind this new personality be more advanced than Siri's? Will this next-gen project eventually be branded Siri?
It's still too early to get answers to these questions, as Apple's first robotics project isn't scheduled to debut until 2026 or 2027.
9to5Mac's take
This report is puzzling, to say the least. It seems unlikely that Apple would develop a new product, even a robotic device, for its all-new assistant. If they wanted to drop the Siri brand, they would have done so now with the announcement of Apple Intelligence.
Obviously, Apple's robotic device personality will need to perform different functions than Siri does today. But would it be worth a whole new name and branding? I'm skeptical.
Do you think Apple should create new AI personalities for future products? Or is it best to stick with Siri? Let us know in the comments.
FTC: We use automated affiliate links that generate revenue. Learn more.
