Apple is changing the way Siri works. Instead of relying on just one AI system, the company built a way to plug in multiple AI chatbots. This means you could soon pick your favorite AI assistant for Siri, like ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, or Anthropic’s Claude. But here’s the catch: Apple didn’t talk about this new feature at WWDC 2026. Why?

Inside the iOS 27 beta, there’s code for an “Extensions” system. It would let users switch between different AI models within Siri. Imagine telling Siri to use ChatGPT for writing help, then switching to Gemini for image tasks. Apple even built a special App Store section for these AI extensions. Yet the company kept this under wraps during its big developer event.

Three main reasons explain Apple’s silence. First, the EU’s Digital Markets Act is causing trouble. The European Commission demands Apple open Siri’s deep system access to third-party assistants. Apple claims this risks privacy and security. Apple offered a “Trusted System Agent” as a middle ground, but regulators rejected it. As a result, Siri AI won’t launch on iPhones or iPads in the EU this year.

Second, Apple faces legal pressure from OpenAI. OpenAI’s lawyers may sue Apple over their 2024 ChatGPT partnership. OpenAI feels Apple hid ChatGPT behind extra steps, limiting its visibility and revenue. If Apple announced the Extensions system now, it would make ChatGPT just one option among several, which could worsen tensions.

Third, Apple wants to spotlight its own AI first. The new Siri AI uses a powerful, custom Gemini model running on Google Cloud. Apple invested years rebuilding Siri from scratch. The company wants to show users it has its own AI engine before sharing the stage with competitors. Early reviews say Siri AI is promising but still buggy and slower than rivals. Introducing a model-picker now might confuse users and weaken Apple’s message.

What Siri AI Looks Like Now

The Siri AI Apple revealed is more than a voice assistant. It’s a standalone app with conversation history, cross-device syncing, and a smarter way to handle tasks. Siri can understand screen content, find photos, and interact with apps without opening them. It also offers new voices and better dictation. The AI uses personal context to respond more naturally.

Behind the scenes, Google’s Gemini models power much of Siri AI. Apple and Google worked closely to build these models. This partnership costs Apple around $1 billion a year. The plan is to keep Gemini as the base, while letting other AI providers plug in through Extensions when Apple is ready.

Why Opening Siri Matters

Allowing third-party AI inside Siri would be a big shift. Apple has always kept tight control over its software. Opening Siri creates a multi-vendor AI platform, where different assistants compete and cooperate. This could make Siri smarter and more flexible. Users would not be stuck with one AI but could pick the best tool for each task.

For developers, this is a chance to reach over 1.5 billion Apple devices without forcing users to download separate apps. Apple would also take a cut of any AI subscriptions sold through the App Store, creating a new revenue stream.

But this openness comes with risks. Each AI service might handle data differently, raising privacy concerns. Apple’s success will depend on strong privacy rules that apply to all extensions. Users must know when their data goes to third parties and have control over it.

For the AI ecosystem, Apple’s move pressures rivals. Other platforms may need to open up too or risk falling behind. Apple aims to be not just a device maker but a marketplace operator for AI services. This changes the game from owning a single AI to managing many.

Still, the path forward is tricky. Apple must balance user trust with innovation. It must deliver a smooth experience with multiple AIs without compromising privacy or security. The EU’s strict rules and OpenAI’s legal threats add complexity. For now, Apple is keeping its cards close.

This year, Siri AI will launch mainly in English outside the EU. Apple Watch users in the EU will miss out initially because their watches rely on iPhones for Siri AI. Mac users in the EU will get Siri AI, which raises questions about why Apple can’t do the same for iPhones.

In short, Apple’s new Siri AI shows real progress. The company is betting on a future where Siri is a smart platform, not just a single assistant. But the timing and politics mean users might wait longer to see the full picture. When Apple finally flips the switch on Extensions, it could change how we all use AI on our phones.