Apple’s Siri overhaul is anticipated to introduce an AI-driven web search tool intended to compete with offerings from OpenAI, Google, and Perplexity, as reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
This feature, internally referred to as World Knowledge Answers, is expected to debut in spring 2026 as part of iOS 26.4. Unlike traditional AI chatbots, this tool will integrate web crawling, search capabilities, and language models, providing up-to-date responses sourced from the internet. It is also reported that Apple may extend this functionality to Safari and Spotlight on Mac in future updates.
Furthermore, the report mentions that Apple has formalised an agreement with Google to assess a Google-developed AI model for enhancing Siri. This development coincides with a recent ruling by a U.S. judge, allowing Apple’s ongoing partnership with Google—which facilitates the iPhone’s designated search engine—to proceed.
The revamped search interface is expected to incorporate text, images, video, and local points of interest, along with AI-generated summaries for more comprehensive results. This update represents just a segment of broader enhancements for Siri, which will also introduce:
• Contextual understanding to interpret and utilise users’ personal information.
• On-screen comprehension, enabling Siri to interact seamlessly with what users are viewing.
• Enhanced app control through “intents,” allowing Siri to perform actions within applications.
Apple is also gearing up for additional AI features in future releases, such as a new design for the Siri interface, wellness tools offered within a subscription plan, and more conversational and intelligent capabilities for Siri on home devices.
This initiative comes as Apple encounters increasing rivalry from AI-centric products like ChatGPT and Perplexity, both of which are swiftly transforming how individuals search for information online.
