Siri is finally ending its exclusive “situationship” with ChatGPT to let other AI heavyweights into the iPhone ecosystem.
For years, Apple’s digital assistant has been a bit of a walled garden, but a new report from Bloomberg suggests that’s about to change. As part of the upcoming iOS 27 update, Apple is reportedly planning to open Siri to rival AI assistants such as Google Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude.
The move effectively turns the iPhone into a neutral platform for the ongoing AI wars.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the shift centers on a new “Extensions” system. This feature will allow users to download AI chatbot apps from the App Store and integrate them directly into the Siri interface. Instead of being locked into one provider, you’ll be able to choose which “brain” handles your specific requests, whether it’s for coding, writing, or deep-web searches.
Internal test versions of the software reportedly feature a clear message for users: “Extensions allow agents from installed apps to work with Siri, the Siri app and other features on your devices,” according to Bloomberg.
Since Apple Intelligence launched in 2024, ChatGPT has enjoyed a privileged spot as Siri’s primary partner. However, this new strategy signals a pivot away from one-off deals. By creating a standardized system for any AI app to plug into, Apple can bypass lengthy business negotiations and offer users more variety immediately.
This move follows a reportedly tense internal debate at Apple. Bloomberg reports that former AI chief John Giannandrea initially questioned OpenAI’s “staying power” and favored a deal with Google. While ChatGPT won the initial “bake-off” to be the launch partner, the doors are now swinging open for everyone else.
The bottom line for Apple
This isn’t just about making Siri smarter; it’s about the bottom line. By allowing third-party AI services like Perplexity, Meta AI, or Microsoft Copilot to live inside Siri, Apple positions itself to take a cut of the subscription fees generated through the App Store.
The news had an immediate ripple effect on the market. On Thursday, Alphabet Inc. (Google) shares hit a session low, closing down 3.4% at $280.92, while Apple shares remained relatively steady at $252.89.
What to expect at WWDC
While the “Extensions” system is currently in testing, Apple is expected to unveil these “AI advancements” during its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 8.
According to reports, users will find a new menu in their settings panel that lets them manually toggle which AI services Siri can access. There may even be a dedicated section of the App Store specifically for Siri-compatible AI agents.
For more on Apple’s latest policy shifts, check out how the company is tackling age verification on iPhones in the UK.
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