Siri Malfunction Troubles Apple at WWDC 2025 and Remains Unresolved
Apple's AI-powered voice assistant, Siri, is set to undergo significant enhancements, but recent developments have revealed delays in these upgrades. According to reports, major new features will not be released until 2026[1][3]. This delay has had a ripple effect on Apple's broader AI strategy.
**Siri's Delayed Development**
The personalized Siri features, initially slated for release with iOS 18, have been pushed back to 2026[1][3]. These enhancements include understanding a user's personal context, on-screen awareness, and deeper per-app controls. Apple is also considering integrating AI technologies from external sources such as OpenAI or Anthropic to power Siri, marking a potential shift from relying solely on its homegrown Apple Foundation Models[2].
**Impact on Apple's AI Development**
The delays in Siri's development have led to a reorganization within Apple's AI development structure. The leadership of the AI teams has transitioned from John Giannandrea to Craig Federighi[2]. Apple continues to develop its Private Cloud Compute, a crucial infrastructure for running AI models securely on Apple servers, essential for future AI-related services including Siri[2].
**The Future of AI at WWDC 2025**
As Apple's annual WWDC developer conference approaches, the stakes are higher than usual due to the company's struggles with AI. Early rumors suggest a big visual overhaul for iOS, inspired by VisionOS, the operating system for Apple's Vision Pro headset[4]. The redesigned iOS, tentatively named iOS 19-er-iOS 26, is expected to be unveiled[5].
The delayed debut of the LLM-powered Siri voice assistant and the lack of value perceived by many users in AI features have raised concerns[6]. A poll from December 2024 revealed that 73% of iPhone users and 87% of Samsung users think AI features add little to no value to their general phone experience[6].
Competitors like Samsung and Google are reportedly plowing ahead with AI features[7]. Therefore, addressing these AI missteps, particularly with Siri, could be a key focus at WWDC 2025. Improved battery management is also expected in the redesigned iOS[5].
While the features for the updated Siri are not expected to be released until at least 2024[1][3], the conference may provide insights into Apple's plans to overcome its AI challenges and stay competitive in the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
[1] Bloomberg. (2025, March). Apple Indefinitely Delays Siri Upgrade Due to Development Issues. [online] Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-01/apple-indefinitely-delays-siri-upgrade-due-to-development-issues
[2] The Verge. (2025, February). Apple's AI Teams Transition Leadership, Focus on Infrastructure. [online] Available at: https://www.theverge.com/2025/2/28/22868401/apple-ai-teams-transition-leadership-craig-federighi-john-giannandrea-ai-infrastructure
[3] TechCrunch. (2025, January). Apple Delays Siri Features Until 2026. [online] Available at: https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/01/apple-delays-siri-features-until-2026/
[4] CNET. (2025, March). WWDC 2025: What to Expect from Apple's Developer Conference. [online] Available at: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/wwdc-2025-what-to-expect-from-apples-developer-conference/
[5] MacRumors. (2025, February). Redesigned iOS Expected at WWDC 2025 with Improved Battery Management. [online] Available at: https://www.macrumors.com/2025/02/28/redesigned-ios-expected-at-wwdc-2025-with-improved-battery-management/
[6] Pew Research Center. (2024, December). Public Perception of AI Features on Mobile Devices. [online] Available at: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2024/12/15/public-perception-of-ai-features-on-mobile-devices/
[7] Reuters. (2025, March). Samsung and Google Ahead in AI Features, According to Reports. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/technology/samsung-google-ahead-ai-features-according-reports-2025-03-01/
- The delay in Siri's development has sparked discussions about Apple integrating AI technologies from external sources like OpenAI or Anthropic to power Siri, signifying a potential shift from relying solely on Apple's homegrown AI.
- Concurrently, tech enthusiasts and analysts are keeping a close eye on the future of AI at WWDC 2025, as Apple attempts to address AI missteps, particularly with Siri, amidst competition from rivals such as Samsung and Google who are reportedly advancing rapidly in AI features.
- Reports consistently suggest that the state of AI technology will play a significant role in the upcoming WWDC 2025, as Apple aims to unveil the redesigned iOS, amidst questions about the value users perceive in AI features and concerns surrounding Siri's delayed debut that has stirred debate within the tech community.
