TLDRs:
- Apple builds internal app Veritas to trial a major Siri update set for 2026 release.
- Siri’s update faces delays, partly due to key AI staff departures and technical challenges.
- Apple explores partnerships with OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google for advanced AI integration.
- AI-powered updates will also enhance Apple’s HomePod and Apple TV devices.
Apple is quietly building the future of its digital assistant. According to Bloomberg, the tech giant has developed an internal iPhone app, codenamed Veritas, designed to test an ambitious Siri overhaul slated for 2026.
Unlike standard software trials, Veritas operates exclusively within Apple’s internal ecosystem and is not intended for public release.
Its goal is to accelerate testing of Siri’s new capabilities, including performing in-app actions and retrieving personal data with greater intelligence.
Veritas App Powers Next-Gen Siri Testing
Veritas represents a significant leap forward in Apple’s approach to voice assistance. The app allows the company’s AI team to experiment with features that combine natural language understanding, advanced search capabilities, and integration with various iOS applications.
While Siri updates have long been part of Apple’s roadmap, the introduction of a ChatGPT-style internal testing platform suggests the company is aiming for a more conversational, context-aware experience.
Despite the ambitious vision, the Siri project has encountered substantial engineering hurdles. Originally scheduled for an earlier release, the update has been delayed to at least March 2026. Sources indicate that Apple’s team has faced both technical complexity and staff turnover, prompting a reevaluation of development strategies.
AI Talent Exodus Hits Apple’s Siri Team
Apple’s internal AI efforts have been complicated by a notable departure of key personnel. Ruoming Pang, the chief architect of Apple’s AI models, left for Meta in July with a multi-million-dollar package, followed by several other senior AI engineers.
This talent drain has left Apple scrambling to maintain momentum on its next-generation Siri and forced high-level strategic shifts, including sidelining AI chief John Giannandrea from the project.
The challenge underscores the difficulty even well-resourced companies face in building competitive AI internally. Apple has reportedly begun testing its first trillion-parameter model, yet it remains behind competitors like OpenAI, whose models operate with several trillion parameters.
External Partnerships Under Consideration
In a break from its traditional strategy of strict vertical integration, Apple is exploring collaborations with third-party AI developers, including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google.
Discussions with Google, for instance, involve potentially leveraging the Gemini AI model to supplement Siri’s capabilities. Any external AI integration would operate on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers rather than directly on user devices, reflecting both privacy priorities and technical limitations.
Apple is reportedly developing two Siri versions. One powered by internal models and another potentially supported by outside partners. While these talks are still exploratory, the move signifies a strategic pivot for a company historically known for controlling its technology stack.
Siri Expansion to HomePod and Apple TV
Apple’s AI ambitions extend beyond iPhone. The company is also working on AI-powered enhancements for HomePod and Apple TV, aiming to provide a unified, intelligent ecosystem across devices.
These updates are designed to complement the Siri overhaul, bringing smarter voice interactions and contextual assistance to multiple touchpoints in users’ daily lives.
As Apple navigates talent challenges, engineering complexities, and potential partnerships, the Veritas app stands as a key tool in shaping the future of Siri. By blending internal and external AI capabilities, Apple appears determined to maintain its competitive edge in the evolving landscape of intelligent digital assistants.
