Apple to Rebuild Siri as Standalone AI Chatbot at WWDC 2026

Apple is preparing to unveil a completely rebuilt version of Siri at its Worldwide Developers Conference next week, transforming the voice assistant into a full-featured AI chatbot with support for third-party models like Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude.

Siri Becomes a Standalone Chatbot App

The biggest change arriving with iOS 27 is Siri's transformation from a simple voice overlay into a dedicated app. Instead of the floating bubble that appears when you say "Hey Siri," users will interact with a chat-style interface similar to iMessage. The new design expands into the Dynamic Island — the pill-shaped area at the top of newer iPhones — and supports text entry alongside voice commands.

Apple has been working on this overhaul for two years, and it represents the company's most significant artificial intelligence push to date. The upgraded Siri will understand context better and handle multiple commands in a single sentence. For example, users could ask Siri to check the weather, set a reminder, and send a text message all in one request instead of three separate interactions.

Third-Party AI Models Come to iPhone

Perhaps the most surprising move is Apple's decision to let users choose their preferred AI model. iOS 27 will use Google Gemini as a base for on-device processing alongside existing ChatGPT integration, with more options expected to follow. This multi-model approach marks a major shift from Apple's traditionally closed ecosystem and gives users control over which large language model, or LLM, powers their device.

Beyond Siri, Apple Intelligence features are expanding across the entire operating system. The Photos app gains tools to extend, enhance, and reframe images using machine learning. Safari will automatically group tabs based on browsing patterns. The Camera app adds a dedicated Siri Mode that improves Visual Intelligence, helping identify objects and scenes more accurately.

The WWDC 2026 keynote is scheduled for June 8, with developer betas for iOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 dropping immediately after. Apple is also prioritizing stability improvements and battery life optimization in this release, addressing common user complaints. While no new hardware is expected before September, these software changes signal Apple's determination to close the gap in the rapidly evolving AI assistant market.