“We understand that sometimes users expect more from Siri,” Apple acknowledged on stage at WWDC 2026, before introducing a series of changes aimed at transforming the 15-year-old virtual assistant Siri.
Along with a range of new operating systems, the highlight of this event is the entirely new Apple Intelligence architecture. Unlike previous approaches, Apple confirmed it has collaborated with Google to develop next-generation foundational models based on the technologies behind the Gemini ecosystem.
According to Apple, the new Apple Foundation Models are designed to operate flexibly both on devices and through the Private Cloud Compute server system. The goal is to combine cloud processing power with the personal data protection that Apple views as its most important competitive advantage.
Illustration of the Gemini model presented on stage at WWDC 2026. Photo: Tuấn Hưng
Thanks to the new architecture, Apple Intelligence has significantly upgraded its ability to understand context, reason, and process multimodal data. The system can understand visual content, create images, perform advanced photo editing, answer questions related to visual content, and process natural language at a deeper level than before. Some high-end devices are even equipped with a more powerful model version capable of generating voices, improving transcription accuracy, and enhancing language comprehension.
To coordinate the entire system, Apple has built a new central control layer. This component acts as the “brain” of Apple Intelligence, helping the AI understand what the user is doing, which application is open, and what task assistance is needed before providing an appropriate response.
One of the most evident outcomes of the new Apple Intelligence is Siri AI. While Siri previously primarily responded to individual commands, the new version is designed to sustain multi-turn conversations and handle complex requests involving multiple applications simultaneously.
In a live demonstration, when asked, Siri could automatically search for information on purchasing concert tickets, how to buy them, and create reminders so users don’t miss the registration opening time. In another example, Siri recognized a landmark appearing in a photo, opened directions to that location on the map, and found related photos from a recent family trip. When prompted, the system continued to add a specific photo to a shared album.
Vietnamese is one of the first languages supported in Apple Intelligence. Photo: Tuấn Hưng
Apple also showcased the ability to synthesize information across applications—a weakness of traditional digital assistants. When users asked about a dessert mentioned in a previous event, Siri automatically searched through message history, identified relevant information, and built a complete menu for a movie night with friends. The system then prepared a message to send to the participants, waiting for user confirmation.
To support these new interactions, Apple completely revamped how users access Siri. On the iPhone, Siri is integrated directly into Dynamic Island. Users can swipe down from this area to start a search or continue to activate it using the power button and the command “Hey Siri,” just like before. Apple stated that the new voice system makes the assistant more natural, expressive, and emotionally engaging.
For the first time, the company introduced a standalone Siri application. Users can review conversation history, continue old discussions, or start new work sessions. All content is synchronized through iCloud, allowing for seamless transitions between iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.
On the Mac, Siri is integrated directly into Spotlight and the right-click menu of the operating system. Users can select any file or window and then request Siri to analyze, summarize, or compare the content.
Features of the new Apple Intelligence, including Siri AI. Photo: Tuấn Hưng
Despite collaborating with Google to develop the new AI platform, Apple dedicated the ending of the presentation to emphasize privacy factors. The company stated that personal data is only used to fulfill requests at the time they arise and is not stored for model training purposes. Apple also affirmed that independent experts can verify the data protection mechanisms of Private Cloud Compute at any time.
Apple announced that developers can start trying out the new Siri version today, while the beta version for the general public will be released later this year.
Tuấn Hưng – Lưu Quý
