Apple's AI chief says delays to modernizing Siri are 'ugly,' leak reveals; major features may be put on hold until 2026
As the move to integrate generative AI into mobile devices, such as Google's Gemini, continues, it has been revealed that Robbie Walker, who oversees Apple's Siri division, which is lagging behind in AI development, used strong language to criticize the company's delays in the development of key Siri features in a confidential company meeting.
Apple's (AAPL) Siri Chief Calls AI Delays Ugly and Embarrassing, Promises Fixes - Bloomberg
Leaked Apple meeting shows how dire the Siri situation really is | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/news/629940/apple-siri-robby-walker-delayed-ai-features
Apple's Siri chief calls Apple Intelligence delays 'ugly' and 'embarrassing,' promises fixes someday
https://macdailynews.com/2025/03/14/apples-siri-chief-calls-apple-intelligence-delays-ugly-and-embarrassing-promises-fixes-someday/
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported on March 14, 2025 that Robbie Walker, Apple's senior director of Siri and intelligence, said at a meeting attended by everyone in the Siri division that 'the delays to key Siri features are unsightly and embarrassing.'
According to a person familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was private, Walker also said, 'We don't know when we'll get Siri enhancements. The Siri enhancements Walker was referring to are believed to be a series of AI features that Apple announced in June 2024.
Apple announced its new personal AI, Apple Intelligence , at the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) and said that its main features would be 'rolled out over the next year,' so the general view at the time was that all of these features would be available by spring 2025.
However, it has been reported for some time that these enhanced Siri features have been difficult to develop, and the latest leak, which includes Walker's statement that 'we are aiming to include them in iOS 19, but that doesn't mean we will be able to release them by then,' makes it clear that it is unclear whether the AI features that could help Apple turn things around will be ready in time for iOS 19.
Development of the 'more conversational' Siri planned for iOS 19 is lagging behind - GIGAZINE
'The fact that they're touting this technology before it's ready makes it even worse,' Walker said, suggesting tensions between Apple's Siri division and its marketing department.
According to Walker, Apple's communications team wanted to highlight Siri's ability to understand personal context and take actions based on what's displayed on the screen, but those features weren't ready to be announced yet. Nonetheless, Apple made a big splash with its AI features at WWDC and has promoted them in a series of marketing campaigns and TV spots.
As a result, expectations for Apple Intelligence were far removed from the development status, Walker said. 'We were supposed to show it to people when the planning was complete, but we showed it to people before that.'
According to sources, the introduction of Siri's main AI functions will be at the earliest in 2026. It is unclear whether this is the 'LLM Siri' that reporter Gurman previously reported on.
Apple is considering releasing 'LLM Siri' in 2026, which will be powerful enough to compete with ChatGPT - GIGAZINE
While criticizing the delays in development, Walker praised the work of the Siri division, calling it 'incredible.' He also said, 'Our competitors might have released these in this state or worse, but these aren't ready for general release yet,' indicating that he prioritizes improving quality over rushing the release.
However, Walker's tolerant attitude has also been criticized. MacDailyNews, a foreign media outlet specializing in news about Apple products, cited the incident in which Steve Jobs was so furious at the performance of MobileMe , the predecessor to iCloud, that he ordered the immediate dismissal of executives, commenting, 'Clearly, under Tim Cook's leadership, Apple seems to have no one to take any responsibility for the huge failures that seem to occur every year. How long would these failures have continued under Steve Jobs?'
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