Apple plans to introduce AI search engine 'World Knowledge Answers' to Siri in spring 2026, and may also apply to Safari and Spotlight in the future

Apple is working on revamping Siri to catch up in the AI race. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, who is unusually knowledgeable about Apple-related information, recently reported that Apple is developing an AI search feature that will be introduced to Siri in the spring of 2026.

Apple Plans AI Search Engine for Siri to Rival OpenAI; Google-Siri Talks Advance - Bloomberg

BREAKING: Apple is planning an AI-powered web search tool to compete with ChatGPT and Perplexity for next year. It's also currently leaning towards working with Google to help power part of a Siri overhaul. https://t.co/yXBFAIwnyB

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) September 3, 2025

According to Gurman, the AI search feature is called 'World Knowledge Answers' internally by Apple, and some executives call it the 'answer engine.' World Knowledge Answers is equipped with a large-scale language model (LLM), and like the search functions of Perplexity and ChatGPT, it can search and summarize information on the Internet.

World Knowledge Answers is scheduled to be introduced to Siri in spring 2026. The search screen will feature a UI that utilizes text, images, videos, and localized information. It will also include an AI-powered summarization system, which is expected to provide faster and more accurate search results than the current Siri.

World Knowledge Answers will also be available in Safari in the future. Additionally, iOS has a feature called 'Spotlight' that allows users to search data on their iPhone and across the internet, and World Knowledge Answers is also planned to be integrated into Spotlight.

It has also been reported that Apple is considering adopting Google's Gemini as the platform for Siri, but it is unclear whether World Knowledge Answers will use Gemini.

Apple is considering using Google's Gemini as the foundation for its redesigned Siri - GIGAZINE

While it has been pointed out that Apple is lagging behind other major technology companies in the AI race, renowned investor Jim Cramer argues that, 'Google pays Apple a lot of money to make Google Search the default search engine in Safari. Similarly, AI companies will pay Apple to reach its 'massive iPhone user base.' This allows Apple to continue to be successful even without its own powerful AI.'

Jim Cramer says Apple is well-positioned even without its own AI tech
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/03/jim-cramer-apple-is-well-positioned-without-ai-tech.html