Apple is preparing to make a significant shift in how we understand its voice assistant on the iPhone. The company is working on a A new stage for Siri within iOS 27, in which it will cease to function as a completely closed system to open the door to third-party artificial intelligence (AI) assistants.
According to various reports and leaks, including those anticipated by BloombergThe plan involves... Siri can natively connect with multiple external chatbotsBeyond the current integration with ChatGPT, Apple aims to strengthen the iPhone as an AI platform, particularly in markets like Spain and the rest of Europe, where competition in this area is intensifying.
From Siri closed to a gateway to multiple AIs
The company plans that, with the arrival of In iOS 27, AI apps installed from the App Store can be directly integrated with Siri.Instead of simply forwarding some questions to ChatGPT, the assistant would act as a kind of "switchboard" that distributes queries among different models.
The candidates being considered include Gemini by Alphabet (Google) and Claude from AnthropicIn addition to OpenAI's ChatGPT, which has been connected to Apple Intelligence since 2024, the idea is not to replace Siri, but to make it the common interface that brings together several AI brains under one umbrella.
In this scheme, Apple Intelligence would continue to manage tasks that do not require a connection locally.such as notification summaries, basic text editing, or certain photo functions. External models would handle more complex requests, advanced reasoning, or searches requiring up-to-date information in the cloud.
For the user, the behavior would be relatively simple: You would still invoke "Hey Siri" or use the usual shortcuts.However, the system would transparently decide which model provides the best response in each case based on the chosen configuration.
This movement represents a change in philosophy regarding iron-fisted control that Apple has historically exerted over its ecosystem. The company assumes that the generative AI race will not be decided by a single proprietary assistant, and is opting for a more open strategy where different AIs compete within the iPhone itself.
Extensions and settings to choose your AI assistant
To make this integration viable, Apple is working on a new extension system linked to Siri and Apple IntelligenceIt's not just about basic permissions, but a deeper model that will allow chatbot apps to connect with the assistant and other key operating system functions.
The leaks point to the creation of a specific section in Settings, under the heading “Apple Intelligence and Siri”This feature is available in iOS 27 and also in upcoming versions of iPadOS and macOS. From there, you can choose which AI service is used by default and how tasks are distributed among the different installed models.
Within that menu there would be a section for Extensions where the user could activate or deactivate each external assistant and assign specific uses to itFor example, assign a specialized model to write long texts, use another for programming or technical queries, and reserve a third for general questions or more creative content.
Apple's intention is that Setting it up is as simple as choosing your default browser or email. on the iPhone. Siri would still be the visible face, but the "engine" that responds could vary dynamically depending on the task and the preferences set in those settings.
In addition to that control panel, the company is preparing new shortcuts like “Ask Siri” and “Type with Siri”Scattered throughout the interface, these buttons would facilitate initiating conversations by both voice and text, something especially useful in work or study environments very common in Spain and Europe, where a large amount of digital documentation is handled.
Impact on iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27
The Siri overhaul won't be limited to the iPhone. Reports indicate that The same approach will be extended to iPadOS 27 and macOS 27This ensures a consistent AI experience across the entire Apple ecosystem. On both tablets and computers, the assistant will act as a "delivery point" between Apple Intelligence and the configured external models.
In the case of macOS, this leap comes in parallel with the definitive transition to devices with Apple Silicon processorsleaving behind Macs with Intel chips. This change makes it easier to run AI processes locally, something the company often highlights as a guarantee of performance and privacy.
In the realm of the iPhone, smart capabilities and internal stability than in visual revolutions. The integration of third-party chatbots into Siri, the new extensions system, and the unification with Spotlight will form a large part of the core of new features.
For those who use Apple devices in Spain and other European countries, this approach can translate into a clear increase in the usefulness of the iPhone for productivity, study, and leisure tasksBeing able to choose which model intervenes in each type of consultation opens the door to more specialized scenarios: from generating legal reports to helping with programming or supporting language learning.
All of this comes with an important nuance: There is no official confirmation from Apple at this time.The company has not responded to questions from media outlets such as Reuters, and maintains public silence on the specific details of the integration, beyond what has already been announced regarding ChatGPT.
Competitive and regulatory pressure in Europe
The decision to open up Siri is understood not only as a technological gamble, but also as a response to the current context. In recent years, Apple has faced intense regulatory pressure in the European Union and the United States due to the closed nature of its ecosystem and the limitations imposed on third parties.
In Europe, new digital regulations have forced the company to modify how the App Store works and allow for greater interoperability with third-party services. The fact that assistants like Gemini or Claude can be integrated into Siri fits with this approach of offering the user more choice within the system itself.
At the same time, Siri's openness implies assuming that The race for generative AI is being led by players such as Google, OpenAI, or anthropicwho have made faster progress in large-scale language modeling. Instead of trying to cover all the bases with its own technology, Apple relies on these partners—and potential competitors—to deliver more powerful results from its devices.
For European regulators, this greater flexibility can be seen as a further step towards a less restrictive ecosystemwhere different technological solutions compete on equal footing within the iPhone, iPad, or Mac. For Apple, however, the key is that its assistant and platform remain the access point.
For consumers in Spain, the practical consequence is that They will be able to choose which AI answers their queries without leaving the Apple environmentThe battle will no longer be just about having the best app in the store, but about being the model that best integrates with Siri and provides the most value within that context.
New revenue streams and a redesigned Siri experience
Beyond product strategy, reports point to a clear economic component. By allowing multiple chatbots to be deeply integrated, Apple would have access to a new revenue stream based on AI subscriptionsThe company could keep a portion of the payments processed through its devices, as it already does with other in-app purchases.
In the case of ChatGPT, Apple already participates in revenue when users subscribe to a paid plan through its systemsExtending this model to services like Gemini or Claude would increase the weight of AI within the services business, which has become one of the company's major revenue streams.
Meanwhile, the Cupertino team is working on a deep makeover for SiriAmong the new developments being considered is the launch of a dedicated application, with an interface more similar to that of current chatbots, in which it would be possible to review the interaction history, manage the context, and better control which model responds at any given time.
Also expected is a Closer unification between Siri, Spotlight search, and Apple Intelligence featuresThis ensures that information searches and device actions all go through a single entry point. The goal is for the user not to have to think about whether they are "asking Siri" or "searching on the iPhone": they simply submit a query and the system decides the best approach.
If the integration with third parties is carried out in a robust manner, The perception of Siri as a limited assistant could changeAlthough models developed outside of Apple continue to work underneath, what will be relevant for the user of the device will be noticing more complete, more natural responses that are better adapted to the context.
Expected schedule and what users can expect
The various leaks agree on placing The presentation of the new Siri and iOS 27 at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC)Apple's annual event, held in June, is where software that will be released to the general public months later is usually shown for the first time.
The company is expected to provide details at WWDC. how the extension system will workWe'll now know which AI assistants will be available initially and how preferences can be configured in Settings. A gradual rollout is possible, with some features initially limited by region or language.
Following the event, it is expected that iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 enter developer beta.followed by public betas. This stage will allow testing the real-world integration with external chatbots, adjusting performance, and refining the user experience before the final launch.
If Apple keeps to the same schedule as in previous years, The stable version of iOS 27 is expected to arrive between September and October.This coincides with the launch of the new generation of iPhones in Europe and the Spanish market. It will then become clear to what extent Siri has transformed into a true AI hub.
In any case, It cannot be ruled out that the company will modify some details on the fly.Especially in an area as sensitive to its control philosophy as opening up to external services. The reaction of regulators, competitors, and users themselves will play a key role in defining the extent of this new phase.
With this change of direction, Apple is betting that Siri should stop being a rigid assistant and become the gateway to a catalog of AI models. that compete within the company's own ecosystem. If the plans materialize as leaked, iPhone, iPad, and Mac users in Spain and the rest of Europe will gain more leeway to choose the intelligence behind each response, without abandoning the environment they are already accustomed to.
