Apple may launch AI-powered Siri with ‘World Knowledge’ search in 2026

Apple is preparing to give Siri a major upgrade with an AI-powered search feature called World Knowledge Answers, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported. The feature, expected in early 2026, will allow Siri to answer general web queries in a style similar to ChatGPT and Google’s AI search overviews.

Apple is internally describing the system as an “answer engine.” At launch, it will be integrated into Siri, with the possibility of expanding later to Spotlight search and Safari. The interface will support text, photos, videos and local recommendations, with Siri able to generate clear summaries of results.

The feature is part of a larger overhaul of Siri that has been in development since Apple abandoned its first-generation architecture. The assistant is being rebuilt using large language models, with Apple’s software chief Craig Federighi recently saying the new foundation was delivering better-than-expected results. The redesigned Siri relies on three systems: a planner that interprets user input, a search system that scans the web and device data, and a summariser that delivers answers.

Apple has been evaluating whether to power these systems with its own models or those of external partners. The company has signed an agreement with Google to test a custom Gemini model for summarisation tasks, while also experimenting with Anthropic’s AI and its own Foundation Models for on-device processing. Apple’s in-house models will handle sensitive user data such as emails and messages to ensure privacy.