Apple(US:AAPL) Hu Xiu·2025-07-01 06:53Core Viewpoint - Apple is considering a significant shift in its AI strategy for Siri by potentially adopting third-party language models from Anthropic or OpenAI, moving away from its self-developed models [2][3][4]. Group 1: Strategic Shift - Apple is reportedly testing new versions of Siri using external AI models, which could mark a major adjustment in its approach to AI [3][4]. - If Apple proceeds with this shift, it aims to enhance Siri's capabilities to match those of Android's AI assistants, thereby addressing its "AI laggard" reputation [4]. - The evaluation of third-party models is still in the early stages, and Apple is also continuing to develop its own project called "LLM Siri" [5][6]. Group 2: Internal Dynamics - The leadership change, with Mike Rockwell now overseeing Siri development, indicates a strategic pivot towards evaluating both self-developed and third-party AI models [9][10]. - Rockwell's team has concluded that Anthropic's technology aligns best with Siri's needs, leading to initial negotiations with Anthropic [11]. - However, the cost of Anthropic's licensing could reach billions, which conflicts with Apple's cost-control philosophy [12]. Group 3: Technical and Operational Considerations - Apple requires that any third-party models be customized to run on its private cloud infrastructure to ensure user privacy [15][16]. - Despite the push for external models, Apple emphasizes the importance of maintaining its self-developed models for local functionalities and developer tools [19]. - Concerns have arisen within Apple's internal teams about the potential shift to external models leading to a broader trend of "de-self-development" across other product lines [19][20]. Group 4: Historical Context and Challenges - Apple's AI strategy has faced challenges due to internal disagreements, strict privacy policies, and an outdated system architecture [27][28][34]. - The previous head of Siri, John Giannandrea, struggled to implement significant changes due to a lack of investment and support from other executives [32][33]. - The current state of the Siri team reflects a sense of uncertainty and low morale, exacerbated by recent departures of key personnel [24][26]. Group 5: Future Directions - Apple is at a crossroads with Siri, needing to decide between continuing its self-development path or integrating third-party models [44][45]. - Delaying this decision could result in missed opportunities in the competitive AI landscape [45].