Apple launches AI search system 'Answers' to rival ChatGPT
Apple has reportedly formed a development team for Answers, an AI search feature built into Apple Intelligence. Answers is expected to be a conversational AI search feature for Siri, similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT.
Apple's ChatGPT Rival from New 'Answers' Team; iPhone 17 Spotted in the Wild - Bloomberg
Apple now looking to rival ChatGPT with a new in-house 'Answers' team: report - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2025/08/03/apple-rivaling-chatgpt-with-new-internal-team-report/
Apple previously indicated it would not develop its own chatbots, instead partnering with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into Siri. However, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, who has access to undisclosed information about Apple, Apple has established a new 'Answers, Knowledge, and Information (AKI)' team in early 2025. This group aims to create a new search experience like ChatGPT and is considering developing multiple in-house AI services.
The move comes as existing Apple Intelligence features have not performed as well as expected, and Siri's performance has been inconsistent, relying on external Google searches and ChatGPT for many questions.
Additionally, changes in the external environment are a major motivator. Apple's default search engine contract , which reportedly pays it approximately $20 billion a year from Google, may be subject to change amid a Department of Justice investigation. At the same time, the rise of generative AI is transforming the search market itself, with even Apple's head of services acknowledging that AI-based search is the future.
In response to this situation, Apple will reportedly establish an internal AI team in early 2025. The team will be led by Robbie Walker, a senior director reporting directly to John Giannandrea, head of AI. Walker was previously in charge of Siri development, but was relieved of that role due to development delays.
The AKI team is currently working on a system called 'Answers' that can crawl the web and answer general knowledge questions, Garman said, and is building the backend infrastructure to potentially offer it as a standalone app or to integrate the search functionality into existing products and services like Siri, Spotlight, and Safari.
Garman reports that Apple has posted job ads seeking people with experience in search algorithm and engine development, and is working to secure talent to make Answers a reality.
While this initiative is still in its early stages and it will likely take some time before it takes shape as a product, Garman said it's an important move that clearly signals Apple's move toward in-house development in the field of AI search.
Related Posts:
in Software, Posted by log1i_yk