Apple might overhaul Siri using AI from OpenAI or Anthropic instead of its own models. That’s the current direction, according to a new Bloomberg report, as Apple looks to close the gap in AI. Internally, this shift has caused friction. One top engineer, Tom Gunter, has already left, and the MLX team reportedly threatened to quit.
Apple is still running a separate effort called LLM Siri, which could power next year’s Siri update with its own models. However, executives believe that a third-party model is the fastest way to turn things around. Apple Intelligence hasn’t impressed, often failing at basic tasks. Compared to Gemini or Galaxy AI, it feels half-baked and rushed.
Right now, Apple uses OpenAI for more advanced Apple Intelligence queries. That partnership might grow, but Apple is also weighing a full acquisition of Anthropic. While OpenAI is valued at around $300 billion, Anthropic sits closer to $61.5 billion, making it a more realistic target.
The real problem might be talent. Meta, OpenAI, and others are offering massive salaries to AI engineers, sometimes double what Apple pays. Apple has the cash, with nearly $50 billion on hand, but it hasn’t matched the offers, leaving its AI team understaffed and frustrated.
If Apple wants Siri to compete, something has to change. Partnering with OpenAI buys time. Buying Anthropic gives them control. Either option would be a significant departure from Apple’s usual playbook, but it may be the only way to fix Siri without waiting years.
