Following a highly publicized string of setbacks with Apple’s more customized, AI-driven Siri, the Cupertino firm is reportedly contemplating abandoning its own internal models in favor of collaborating with companies such as Anthropic or OpenAI.
According to Bloomberg, Apple has engaged in discussions with both firms regarding the utilization of their LLMs to enhance its more intelligent Siri. The companies have also been approached to develop versions of their AI models capable of operating on its Private Cloud Compute servers.
Tests have suggested that Anthropic’s Claude emerges as the most promising AI assistant for powering Siri. Consequently, Apple’s VP of Corporate Development Adrian Perica has initiated conversations with Anthropic about the potential structure of a partnership between the two entities.
The report further indicates that OpenAI proposed to develop AI models for Apple last year; however, at that point, Apple remained confident that its in-house models would be adequate. Presently, Anthropic is reportedly seeking a multibillion-dollar annual fee that escalates each year for a comparable agreement. The disagreement over costs has opened the way for OpenAI and possibly other third-party entities.
That said, none of these arrangements have been confirmed, and Apple has yet to make any decisions regarding the use of external AI models to enhance its more personalized Siri.
Outsourcing the AI that powers Siri undeniably raises significant privacy issues, which is why Apple intends to operate the AI models on its own chips. By deploying customized iterations of ChatGPT or Claude on its own servers, Apple believes it can better safeguard user information.
This AI collaboration would represent a remarkable acknowledgment of failure from one of the largest tech companies globally. Apple’s “LLM Siri” is still under active development but did not feature at this year’s WWDC. Meanwhile, nearly every Android manufacturer, including Samsung, has surged forward with generative AI integration. Apple has already fallen behind and risks trailing even further without a dependable partner.
