Apple is preparing a major change in the way its devices interact with the Artificial IntelligenceThe company is finalizing a software update that will allow Crab Stop relying on a single provider and connect with multiple chatbots from Third-party AI installed on the iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
This change, planned for the next major version of the brand's operating systems, will transform the assistant into a kind of gateway to different AI modelsFor users in Spain and the rest of Europe, this move means more choice when using advanced AI tools without leaving the Apple ecosystem, but also the need to decide which services to activate and what information to share with each one.
A Siri transformed into an artificial intelligence platform
The centerpiece of the new strategy will be an internal system dubbed as Extensionsdesigned so that Siri acts as a hub capable of coordinating multiple AI assistants that coexist on the same device. Instead of relying on a single underlying engine, the assistant will be able to route each query to the service chosen by the user or configured as preferred.
In practice, this means that whoever has a iPhone, iPad, or Mac You will be able to install chatbot applications from the App Store and Link them to Siri. Models like Google GeminiAnthropic Claude, Perplexity, and other compatible services will become options accessible directly from the assistant, similar to the current integration with ChatGPTwhich will no longer be the only entry point.
The operation will be flexible: a person will be able to ask Siri to Send a specific request to the chatbot that best suits your needs.For example, redirecting a complex search to Gemini, asking Claude to summarize a document, or using ChatGPT to draft a text—all from the same voice or text interface already used daily on Apple devices.
Thus, Siri, launched more than a decade ago and often criticized for lagging behind other assistants, takes on a role closer to that of a open conversational AI platformThe goal is to catch up with rivals like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, which have made rapid progress in generative models.
For the average European user, accustomed to navigating between various digital tools on a daily basis, Siri's openness could translate into More real options for working, studying, or managing tasks with the help of AI, while also taking advantage of native integration with apps like Messages, Calendar, Notes or Mail.
How Extensions will work on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS
References found in beta versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS describe Extensions as a mechanism that allows application agents work together with Siri and with other device functions. These agents would, in practice, be the components that connect each AI app with the assistant and with the Apple Intelligence platform.
From the settings panel of the new systems, users will be able to activate or deactivate each compatible AI serviceIn other words, it's not a forced integration: each person will decide which chatbots they want available for Siri and in what context they can be used, something especially relevant for those who handle sensitive information.
When someone wants to add a new model, the system will It will redirect you to the App Store to download the corresponding application. Apple is preparing specific sections within the store to highlight these artificial intelligence services, making it easier to find alternatives without having to browse through generic categories.
Once an AI app is installed, its capabilities may appear as a further extension of the systemSimilar to how widgets or sheets are integrated for sharing content today, Siri will decide which model to send each request to based on the user's request or the predefined preferences in the settings.
This approach reduces dependence on exclusive trade agreementsThis agreement, like the one initially signed with OpenAI for ChatGPT, opens the door for more players to enter the ecosystem, provided they meet the technical, security, and privacy requirements set by Apple. For European developers, it provides a clearer framework for designing AI apps that want to "talk" to Siri.
Privacy, user control, and the role of Apple Intelligence
Apple insists that, despite opening the door to more suppliers, The user will continue to control what data is shared with each chatbot. Extensions' architecture has been designed to align with the company's privacy policies, which in Europe are often heavily influenced by regulations such as the GDPR and the future regulatory framework for AI.
In practice, it will be possible to define in what situations Siri can consult an external model and what type of information can be leaked from the device. This approach seeks to minimize the risk of leaks of sensitive content, something especially relevant for companies, professionals, or public administrations that operate under strict confidentiality requirements.
This entire system falls under the umbrella of Apple IntelligenceThe brand under which Apple groups its AI features integrated into the operating system. The company is not abandoning the development of its own models, but is instead proposing connections with third-party services as a add-on that expands available capabilities without having to build each specialized solution in-house.
Within this vision, Apple had long considered the possibility of Siri relying on highly sector-specific chatbotsFor example, those focused on healthcare, education, finance, or customer service. This new phase allows progress in that direction without the company having to close deals individually for each niche.
In the European context, where EU authorities closely monitor the use of personal data and the deployment of AI systems, this model of controlled opening will force Apple to offer clear explanations and simple adjustments so that the user knows what happens to their information when a question is forwarded to an external provider.
Relationship with ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and other major models
Currently, Siri can already send certain queries to ChatGPT Thanks to an agreement with OpenAI, this integration has been presented as one of Apple Intelligence's major recent innovations. However, until now, this support was practically exclusive, which generated internal debates about the wisdom of relying on a single partner in such a strategic area.
Before reaching that agreement, the company would have tested multiple chatbots in internal environmentsComparing results and stability, OpenAI's solution was considered the most mature option at the time. The new roadmap, based on Extensions, abandons the "single winner" model and leans towards a more diverse ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Apple continues to work with Google Gemini models to improve Siri's underlying technology. This collaboration focuses on strengthening the assistant's internal engine, while the extensions system will allow access to Gemini as an external service as well, provided Google enables its application for this within the App Store.
In addition to ChatGPT and Gemini, the company is considering the possible integration of other services already known to users in Europesuch as Perplexity, Alexa, Meta AI, Grok, and Copilot, among others. What remains unclear is whether any AI app will be able to connect to Siri or if Apple will require a specific approval process with technical, quality, and security filters.
In any case, the design of Extensions breaks with the current situation, in which ChatGPT acted de facto as The only great gateway to advanced conversational AI since SiriStarting with the next major software update, users will have more flexibility to choose which model they prefer to use at any given time, something that could significantly change the experience on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Effects on Apple's business and the developer ecosystem
Siri's openness not only has a technological interpretation, it also entails significant economic implicationsApple will be able to strengthen its services business by charging a commission for subscriptions to AI models purchased through the App Store, just as it already does today with premium versions of ChatGPT managed through the store's payment system.
For the company, this means diversify revenue streams linked to artificial intelligence without relying solely on its own models. Apple positions itself as an intermediary between users and AI providers, offering the integration, control, and billing layer, and taking a portion of what the end customer pays.
For developers, especially in Spain and the rest of the European Union, the new framework opens the door to create applications and services that connect with Siri through Extensions APIs. This could lead to a wave of specialized assistants that use voice and natural language as their primary interface in sectors such as business, education, private healthcare, and advanced productivity.
In the stock market, the first signs of change have been accompanied by movements in the stock prices of major technology playersWhile Apple saw slight gains, companies like Alphabet, Google's parent company, experienced occasional corrections, reflecting the markets' sensitivity to any adjustments in the AI landscape.
For the average European user, the most visible thing will be that the The App Store becomes a broader showcase for AI solutionswhere each provider will compete to differentiate itself in quality, price, specialization, or privacy guarantees. Siri, in that context, will act as the "presenter" that organizes and brings order to all those options from the same familiar interface.
New Siri app, integration with other systems, and planned schedule
Along with changing Siri's role within the system, Apple is working on a standalone application of the assistant In a chatbot format, it would allow for longer conversations, access to history, and better utilization of Apple Intelligence capabilities. This app would coexist with the traditional voice-activated Siri, but would offer an experience more akin to other conversational AI platforms.
The integration of third-party chatbots will not be limited to the iPhone: it will also extend to iPadOS and macOSThis means that the same AI service can be used on mobile, tablet, and computer with a consistent experience. The goal is for users to be able to switch between devices without losing track of their tasks or conversations.
In addition, Apple is exploring a Deeper integration of Siri with Spotlight searchAdding shortcuts like “Ask Siri” or “Write with Siri” to launch voice or text queries from virtually anywhere in the system. These features align with the idea that the assistant is not an extra, but rather an integral part of the entire user experience.
The company's schedule indicates that the new features will be publicly detailed at the next Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC)where new versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS are traditionally unveiled, along with the APIs that developers can leverage. As is the case every year, some features may be adjusted or delayed depending on how testing progresses.
Since the update will affect millions of active devices in Spain and other European countries, Apple will have to carefully coordinate both the rollout and the communication to consumers, businesses and regulatorsexplaining how data is managed when Siri interacts with external providers and what controls each user has at their disposal.
All this movement paints a picture in which Siri is no longer a closed assistant It becomes a meeting point for multiple AI models, with Apple contributing deep system integration, a privacy framework, and a payment gateway. For those using Apple devices in Spain or any other European country, this will translate into a wider range of tools available for information, work, or communication with the help of artificial intelligence, but also the responsibility of choosing which services to activate and how to manage the information shared with each one.