Apple is accelerating plans to turn Siri into an AI agent

The push for agency

Apple is currently in a high-pressure race to transform Siri into a more capable AI agent. According to reports from Bloomberg, CEO John Ternus is urging AI lead Craig Federighi to speed up the development of the assistant's roadmap. The goal is to create a system that can compete with advanced models from companies like OpenAI and Meta.

The company recognizes that current capabilities are not enough to keep pace with the market. While a functional version of Siri AI was delivered on a very tight schedule, leadership acknowledges that the technology needs to evolve significantly. The focus is shifting toward making the assistant more proactive and capable of handling complex objectives.

This transition is driven by intense consumer and market demands for more sophisticated technology. Apple is moving toward a model where the assistant does not just react to single prompts but can understand broader goals. This evolution is necessary for Siri to remain relevant as other tech giants launch their own dedicated AI agents.

First-party app control

The first major wave of improvements will focus on giving Siri deeper access to Apple's own software. These updates are expected to arrive with the release of iOS 27.3. Users will see Siri gaining fine-grained control over first-party apps, allowing it to perform specific actions within those environments.

For example, Siri will be able to perform specific edits within the Photos app, such as rotating or cropping images. It will also be able to manage and organize tabs within the Safari web browser. These features represent a move toward a more integrated experience where the assistant can manipulate the interface on behalf of the user.

By mastering these internal tools first, Apple can establish a foundation for more complex interactions. This phase of development ensures that the assistant can handle the most common user requests reliably. It serves as a stepping stone toward the more ambitious goal of controlling the broader software ecosystem.

Third-party integrations

Following the first-party updates, Apple plans to expand Siri's reach to include third-party applications. This expansion is expected to land in the Spring. This move is a significant step toward making Siri a more versatile tool for daily life and commerce.

With these integrations, Siri could eventually place orders through services like Grubhub. It could also handle bookings for dinner reservations through platforms like OpenTable. This allows the assistant to bridge the gap between different services that are not owned by Apple.

Moving into third-party territory requires a different level of technical coordination and permission. However, it is a necessary step for Siri to become a true personal assistant. These capabilities would allow users to complete multi-step errands using only voice commands or simple interactions.

Moving toward ongoing tasks

The ultimate goal for Apple is to move Siri beyond one-off commands and toward performing ongoing tasks. This is the core definition of an AI agent. Instead of just answering a question or performing a single action, the assistant would be able to pursue objectives over time.

Current rivals like Dots, Muse, and Grok are already capable of keeping track of long-term goals. These models can determine what needs to happen next and continue pursuing those objectives without the user having to initiate every individual step. Apple intends to match this level of autonomy in its own ecosystem.

This shift means Siri would be able to manage a project or a series of chores from start to finish. It would understand the context of a user's request and execute the necessary sub-tasks automatically. This represents a fundamental change in how people will interact with their devices on a daily basis.

The competitive landscape

Apple is facing significant pressure to deliver these features quickly to stay competitive. The company is aware that other major players are already deploying agents that can manage complex workflows. To keep up, Apple must balance its desire for privacy and polish with the need for rapid functional growth.

The roadmap suggests that Apple is prioritizing the most immediate and useful improvements first. By starting with first-party apps and moving to third-party services, they are creating a structured path toward full agency. This approach allows them to refine the technology while meeting the demands of the current market.

As the technology matures, the distinction between a voice assistant and an AI agent will continue to blur. Apple's success will depend on how well it can integrate these new capabilities into the existing user experience. The company is racing to ensure that Siri becomes a primary way for users to manage their digital and physical lives.

What to expect next

Users should look for the first set of Siri improvements with the upcoming iOS 27.3 update. These will be the most visible changes, focusing on how the assistant interacts with Photos and Safari. This will be the first real test of Siri's increased capabilities in a live environment.

The broader expansion into third-party apps like Grubhub and OpenTable will follow in the Spring. This phase will be the most significant for users who want Siri to handle real-world tasks like ordering food or making reservations. It marks the beginning of Siri's role as a functional agent.

In the long term, the transition to an agent that can handle ongoing tasks is the final goal. This will likely take time to perfect as Apple works to ensure the assistant can reliably pursue objectives without constant supervision. The next year will be a critical period for seeing how quickly Apple can bridge this gap.