Apple Inc will let users choose from a range of outside artificial intelligence services to power features across its software, building on a strategy to turn its devices into a comprehensive AI platform.
Users will be able to select from multiple third-party AI models for tasks like generating and editing text and images, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The change is slated for iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 this fall, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are private.
Apple is working on a similar approach for Siri, allowing users to swap out ChatGPT as the external chatbot within the voice assistant, Bloomberg News reported in March. The Apple Intelligence platform, introduced in 2024, currently offers ChatGPT as the only third-party option in features like Siri, Writing Tools and Image Playground.
It’s all part of Apple’s bid to gain an edge in the artificial intelligence market – with a twist. Rather than building the best AI software and services itself, the company is looking to make it easy for customers to find a wide range of options on its devices.
The iOS update will let users choose from AI model providers that opt in by adding support through their App Store apps. So far, Apple has been testing integrations internally with at least Alphabet Inc’s Google and Anthropic PBC, according to the people with knowledge of the matter.
Apple has already been working with Google on revamping the underlying models powering Siri and has partnered with Anthropic to support internal AI infrastructure and product development.
A spokesperson for Cupertino, California-based Apple declined to comment.
Inside iOS 27, Apple refers to the capability as "Extensions.” It lets users select which AI services they want to power Apple Intelligence features via the Settings app.
"Extensions allow you to access generative AI capabilities from installed apps on demand, through Apple Intelligence features such as Siri, Writing Tools, Image Playground and more,” according to a message shown in test versions of the software.
Apple also plans to tell users it isn’t responsible for content generated by third-party models. The company is preparing an App Store section to highlight compatible AI apps, but it will continue to offer its own in-house models.
The shift will give users more flexibility – and benefit partners like Google and Anthropic. For OpenAI, the change marks a potential setback. Until now, the company has enjoyed exclusive status on a platform with more than 2 billion devices.
ChatGPT integration debuted with promise in 2024, but usage has been more limited than Apple and OpenAI expected. The companies are also increasingly at odds over hardware, with OpenAI aggressively recruiting engineers from Apple to build AI devices.
Another enhancement will let users choose different voices for Siri conversations powered by external models. Queries handled by Apple’s own system could use one voice, while responses from third-party models – such as Anthropic’s Claude – could use another.
As part of the operating system updates, Apple is introducing a revamped version of Siri with a standalone app, Bloomberg News has reported. Other changes include a Siri mode in the camera app, new AI editing tools for photos and a way to create custom passes in the Wallet app. – Bloomberg
