Apple Unveils Its Biggest Siri AI Upgrade Yet

Two years after first introducing plans for a more advanced Siri that ultimately did not launch as expected, Apple officially unveiled its redesigned AI-powered assistant during its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2026 on Monday. The company said the new Siri AI experience will enter beta testing later this year.

The vision behind the upgraded “Siri AI” is to evolve Siri from a traditional voice assistant into a more capable AI companion that handles a broader range of tasks. Apple also announced that the new experience will arrive alongside a dedicated Siri application.

The revamped assistant can draw on current world knowledge to provide more informed responses to user questions. It will also be capable of accessing information stored on a user’s device and responding based on content currently visible on the screen.

With this update, Apple is positioning Siri as a fully conversational AI chatbot designed to compete with leading AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. The shift represents one of the most substantial changes in Siri’s history, moving beyond its long-standing role as a voice-based assistant.

When users request information, Siri will present results in text-based cards, displaying content such as web results, message details, and other relevant data.

Apple has also redesigned how Siri appears on modern iPhones. Rather than illuminating the edges of the screen when activated, the assistant will now reside within the Dynamic Island and feature a new visual animation when engaged.

A new feature called “Write with Siri” will help users compose text across applications. In Mail and Messages, Siri can adapt to an individual’s communication style with specific contacts. For instance, if a user typically sends concise, direct updates to a manager, Siri can mirror that tone and format when generating a draft message.

Users can swipe down from the Dynamic Island to search or begin a conversation with Siri by typing. They can also activate the assistant using “Hey Siri” or the side button when seeking more detailed responses.

The upgraded assistant will be able to perform increasingly sophisticated tasks, including drafting messages based on specific instructions and topics. Siri can gather relevant information from the web, previous emails, calendars, contacts, and other sources available to the user to complete requests.

Apple also said Siri features an entirely new voice experience, with the ability to speak using customised pacing and expressiveness. In addition, the company has improved system-wide dictation, increasing accuracy when capturing spoken input, including spelling, punctuation, and capitalisation.

With Siri AI, users can request detailed plans, engage in back-and-forth discussions, conduct brainstorming sessions, receive feedback on documents, and perform a variety of other tasks.

On macOS, Apple is integrating Siri directly into Spotlight, allowing users to access the assistant from virtually anywhere in the system and enabling Spotlight to answer questions. On watchOS, users will be able to ask questions and complete actions directly from their Apple Watch.

The announcement marks Apple’s most ambitious effort yet to transform Siri into a comprehensive AI assistant that can support users across devices and a wide range of everyday tasks.