Apple Reportedly Building AI 'Answer Engine' for Siri, Safari

Apple is reportedly forming a new internal team dedicated to developing an AI-powered “answer engine,” akin to popular generative AI applications such as ChatGPT. This strategic move, detailed by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, signals Apple’s intent to build its own robust conversational AI capabilities.

The newly established team, purportedly named Answers, Knowledge, and Information, is tasked with creating a system that can process and respond to user queries by synthesizing information gathered from across the web. While the exact deployment strategy remains unclear, the technology could manifest as a standalone application or be deeply integrated into Apple’s existing product ecosystem, enhancing functionalities within Siri, Safari, and other core services.

Further supporting these reports, Apple has begun advertising job openings for this team, specifically seeking candidates with expertise in search algorithms and engine development. This recruitment drive underscores the company’s commitment to cultivating in-house talent for this ambitious AI project.

This development emerges amidst several relevant industry shifts. Although Apple has already incorporated ChatGPT into its Siri voice assistant, a more personalized and advanced AI update for Siri has faced repeated delays. Furthermore, the creation of an in-house answer engine could also be a strategic response to recent market dynamics, including Google’s antitrust defeat, which might prompt Apple to re-evaluate its long-standing search agreement with the tech giant. This initiative suggests a potential pivot towards greater independence in AI and search capabilities for Apple.