Apple has been quietly evaluating whether to license large language models (LLMs) from Anthropic or OpenAI for a next-generation Siri, rather than relying solely on its in-house “Apple Foundation Models.” This marks a significant shift in strategy after in-house Siri developments lagged behind competing assistants such as Google Assistant and ChatGPT.
The concept is to run third-party models on Apple’s private cloud, leveraging Apple silicon servers to maintain strict data privacy – one of Apple’s core marketing pillars. Early talks, led by vice president Adrian Perica, have centered on negotiating multi-billion-dollar licensing deals, though pricing remains a sticking point.
Leadership Shake-Up and Internal Dynamics
In March 2025, CEO Tim Cook reassigned Siri oversight from AI chief John Giannandrea to Mike Rockwell (Vision Pro lead) and software head Craig Federighi. Their mandate: test whether external models like Anthropic’s Claude or OpenAI’s ChatGPT outperform Apple’s own LLMs when handling Siri queries.
Internal testing reportedly showed Claude ahead of Apple’s models, prompting advanced discussions with Anthropic, while OpenAI remains a fallback option. Morale among Apple’s foundation-model engineers has dipped, as some team members feel undue pressure and attribution for Siri’s shortcomings.
In-House “LLM Siri” vs. Outsourced Models
| Aspect | LLM Siri (In-House) | Anthropic/OpenAI Models |
|---|---|---|
| Control & Privacy | Full end-to-end control | Private cloud mitigates exposure |
| Performance | Still maturing | Claude leads in internal tests |
| Cost | Development overhead | High licensing fees |
| Timeline | Targeted launch in 2026 | Could accelerate Siri upgrade |
| Innovation Agility | Slower, Apple-led R&D | Rapid feature rollouts from partners |
Implications for South African Developers
- Opportunity to Integrate: If Apple adopts external LLMs, local app builders can tap richer Siri capabilities sooner.
- Focus on Privacy: South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) aligns with Apple’s data-centric approach. Ensuring compliance will be easier when Siri runs on Apple’s private cloud.
- Competitive Edge: Enhanced Siri features – such as context-aware conversation or nuanced follow-up queries – could drive demand for localized voice-enabled apps and services.
By staying abreast of these developments, South African developers can prepare to leverage any new Siri SDK enhancements or cloud-based AI hooks.
What Comes Next
Apple has not made a final decision. The external-model evaluation remains in early testing, and the in-house LLM Siri project continues on track for a 2026 rollout. Further steps may include:
- Pilot deployments of Claude- or ChatGPT-powered Siri within beta versions of iOS.
- Pricing negotiations that could influence which partner Apple selects.
- Expanded tests across diverse languages and dialects, potentially benefitting South African users of isiZulu, Afrikaans and other local tongues.
Preparing for the Future of Siri
South African tech professionals should:
- Monitor Apple’s WWDC and beta releases for Siri AI updates.
- Explore Apple’s MLX open-source framework to build complementary AI tools.
- Review POPIA and local cloud-hosting regulations to align any Siri-driven solution with data-sovereignty requirements.
