Apple May Abandon In-House AI Model, Turn to Anthropic or OpenAI to Power Siri

Reports suggest Apple is considering using Anthropic or OpenAI’s AI technology to drive the new Siri, potentially marking a major shift in its AI strategy, moving away from its current reliance on in-house large-scale models.

 

Boosted by the news, Apple surged over 3% on Monday, closing up 2%.

 

Sources say Apple has engaged with both companies to discuss deploying their large language models (LLMs) on Apple’s cloud infrastructure for testing.

 

Currently, most of Siri’s AI functions rely on Apple’s proprietary “Apple Foundation Models.” Apple had planned to launch a new Siri version based on this model in 2026.

 

While Siri currently uses ChatGPT for some web search queries, its core remains driven by Apple’s own technology.

 

The investigation into third-party models is still in early stages, and Apple has not finalized a decision. Internally, the “LLM Siri” project continues, aiming to develop a Siri version based on in-house models.

 

Sources reveal Apple’s AI team is in a state of high uncertainty, with multiple development paths under review by executives.

 

Software engineering chief Craig Federighi, Siri head Mike Rockwell, and other executives are increasingly leaning toward a pragmatic choice: if external technology can deliver short-term breakthroughs, Apple need not cling to its “underperforming” in-house models and could opt for third-party collaboration.

 

In talks with Anthropic and OpenAI, Apple proposed customizing Claude and ChatGPT to run on its “Private Cloud Compute” servers, powered by high-performance Mac chips, the core platform for its advanced in-house AI models.

 

Apple believes running AI models on its own servers, rather than third-party cloud services, better protects user privacy. The company has already tested the feasibility of this approach internally.

 

Sources say negotiations with Anthropic face significant pricing disputes, with Anthropic seeking multi-billion-dollar annual licensing fees with substantial yearly increases.

 

Due to difficulties in reaching an agreement, Apple is also evaluating OpenAI or other AI firms as alternative partners.