Apple is quietly building its own AI-powered Answer Engine to rival ChatGPT, aiming for a major Siri and search upgrade before the iPhone 17.
TLDR:
- Apple has created a secret team called AKI to build an in-house AI chatbot similar to ChatGPT.
- The initiative will enhance search and Siri features across Apple devices with privacy-first design.
- This marks a shift from relying on OpenAI and reflects Apple’s growing focus on native AI.
- The new Answer Engine may launch with or ahead of the iPhone 17, now in real-world testing.
What Happened
Apple has launched a major internal project to develop a generative AI-powered Answer Engine, positioning itself to challenge industry leaders like OpenAI and Google. This comes as the company readies its next flagship phone, the iPhone 17 Pro, and looks to improve how users interact with Siri and search.
Apple’s Secret AI Team: AKI
Apple has reportedly formed a dedicated AI division known as Answers, Knowledge, and Information (AKI). This low-profile unit is being led by Robby Walker, a former Siri executive, and reports directly to John Giannandrea, Apple’s senior vice president of machine learning and AI strategy.
The AKI team’s mission is to build a smarter, faster, and more intuitive chatbot capable of delivering real-time answers to user questions, much like ChatGPT, but with Apple’s trademark emphasis on privacy and seamless ecosystem integration.
- The chatbot will feature natural, conversational language, departing from Siri’s more rigid scripting.
- It is designed to crawl the web and generate dynamic responses for knowledge-based queries.
- Integration points could include Siri, Safari, Spotlight, or even a standalone app.
- The engine is also being designed for on-device operation to reduce server dependency and protect user data.
From Skepticism to Full Investment
The project reflects a strategic shift within Apple, whose executives once expressed doubts about the value of chatbot-style Artificial Intelligence. Now, facing pressure from rapid innovation by competitors, Apple is leaning in heavily.
CEO Tim Cook has reportedly declared that AI is “as big or bigger than the internet, smartphones, cloud computing, and apps.” He added, “Apple must do this. Apple will do this. This is sort of ours to grab.”
Apple’s increased AI research funding and new hires in machine learning and NLP show that the company is building serious infrastructure to power this next generation of AI.
Apple Intelligence Isn’t Enough
This move also comes amid mixed reviews of Apple Intelligence, a suite of smart features like Genmoji, smart summaries, and writing tools. These offerings currently rely on partnerships with companies like OpenAI, raising concerns that Apple is behind in native AI development.
Delays in a promised Siri overhaul and recent departures of AI researchers — some poached by Meta, have further pressured Apple to regain control of its AI roadmap.
The iPhone 17 Connection
Apple’s development of the iPhone 17 Pro is reportedly on track, with prototype units spotted in San Francisco wrapped in camouflage cases. Observers believe the new iPhone will debut with deeper AI features and could serve as a launch platform for the Answer Engine.
- Apple is hiring talent focused on search engine algorithms, signaling rapid development.
- The AI engine may debut in 2025 and will likely be embedded across iOS, macOS, and other platforms.
What TechKV Thinks
I think Apple’s move here is both necessary and overdue. They’ve watched competitors like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft leap ahead with AI tools that are reshaping how we search, chat, and use devices. Siri has been falling behind for years.
But building this AI internally, prioritizing privacy and tight system integration, gives Apple a unique edge. If done right, this could finally make Siri more than just a voice assistant and turn it into a true AI companion. It’s a big swing, and Apple absolutely needs to hit it.
