Apple is struggling to upgrade Siri with advanced AI, according to new reports. The company’s attempts to build its own large language models (LLMs) for Siri have hit major snags.
Former employees told the Financial Times Apple’s slow and buggy integration of LLM tech is holding back progress. Unlike rivals such as OpenAI, Apple is stuck trying to patch an old system instead of rebuilding it from scratch.
The company hoped to create a truly conversational assistant but stumbled. Critics say the “climbing the hill” approach to updating Siri wasn’t enough. 
“It was obvious that you were not going to revamp Siri by doing what executives called ‘climbing the hill,’” a former exec said.
“It’s clear that they stumbled.”
This comes as Apple’s annual developer event approaches, with investors gloomy about any major AI news. Siri updates are a key part of Apple’s push called Apple Intelligence, aimed at boosting device sales.
The problems add to broader struggles at Apple, including a 20% stock plunge—the worst in 15 years—after recent reports highlighted tariffs, legal scrutiny over services, and production pressures from the Trump administration.
Researcher Craig Moffett expects Apple will play it safe at its event and avoid hyping unfinished AI features.
Apple trails Microsoft and Google in AI advancements, and tomorrow’s event may show just how far behind it is.
