Apple might allow users to set a different virtual assistant as the default instead of Siri.

      Apple's difficulties in revamping Siri with next-generation AI are quite well-documented, particularly while competitors such as Google’s Gemini have succeeded in the Android ecosystem. The extent of the delays became so problematic that Apple had to withdraw advertisements featuring Siri's advanced functions, which have still not been released nearly a year later.

      As a temporary solution, the company incorporated ChatGPT into its Apple Intelligence framework on iPhones, enabling the OpenAI chatbot to respond to queries that Siri is unable to address. Additionally, reports suggest that Apple is negotiating to integrate more AI chatbots into the same role.

      In the future, Apple may allow users to completely replace Siri as their default voice assistant on their devices. Such a change would be significant, as Siri has been one of Apple’s hallmark innovations. However, due to a lack of competitive advantage and regulatory pressures, it is suggested that Apple may eventually permit this transition, according to Bloomberg.

      Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

      “To comply with anticipated European Union regulations, the company is currently revising its operating systems so that, for the first time, users can switch from Siri to third-party voice assistants, as reported by a source familiar with the situation,” states the article, which cites interviews with various Apple employees.

      Why is this important?

      Currently, if users ask Siri questions like “Who won the best Oscar for direction in 2023?” or “What principle is best for understanding fluid motion in a closed loop?” it fails to provide answers. Instead, it would defer these questions to ChatGPT, after seeking permission from users.

      The overarching theme, however, is that while Siri will remain, allowing users to fully substitute it with a third-party product—such as Google’s Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude, or OpenAI’s ChatGPT—would communicate that Apple is struggling to keep pace in the AI assistant competition. Apple cannot afford that scenario.

      Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

      Nevertheless, given Siri's current limitations, many users have already migrated to competing chatbots like Gemini, ChatGPT, and Perplexity, which are becoming increasingly compatible with third-party services. My experiences with Gemini on an iPhone indicate that Google’s assistant surpasses Siri in several aspects.

      Bloomberg's extensive report implies that users will jump ship from Siri if Apple grants them the option to replace it. “Unless there is a significant advancement in Apple’s products, many users might opt for that change,” the report adds. Apple has already made notable concessions for users in the EU, including permitting third-party app stores, external in-app payment methods, and the ability to modify default messaging and calling applications.

      What’s on the horizon for Apple in AI?

      Apple is developing the next-generation version of Siri, internally referred to as LLM Siri, which aims to deliver capabilities akin to those of contemporary AI chatbots. However, according to previous reports, this overhaul is still a year or two away. To assist in its development, Apple is also recruiting users to provide data for training purposes.

      Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends

      The company is reportedly working to distinguish the Apple Intelligence brand from Siri, allowing for the continued development of new AI-driven features without being overshadowed by the underperforming virtual assistant. As part of this strategy, Apple is looking into new features like an AI-driven battery management system and a personalized health coaching tool.

      Additionally, Apple is said to be adopting a more cautious approach to feature announcements following the issues with Siri. “For the most part, Apple will refrain from announcing features more than a few months prior to their official debut,” the Bloomberg report states. More details regarding the company’s future plans are anticipated at the WWDC 2025 conference next month.