Apple’s Siri is getting a major upgrade with the introduction of Apple Intelligence, the company’s generative AI system, integrated with ChatGPT. These updates, coming with iOS 18, promise a smarter and more intuitive digital assistant, addressing years of criticism for Siri’s lack of innovation.
Here’s a breakdown of how Apple Intelligence is enhancing Siri’s capabilities:
ChatGPT Integration:
Siri now utilizes OpenAI’s ChatGPT to handle more complex requests it couldn’t address before. For instance, if you ask Siri for meal ideas using ingredients from your garden, it can pass the request to ChatGPT to generate customized suggestions. While no ChatGPT account is needed, you’ll need to grant Siri permission to access the service.
Improved Language Understanding:
Siri now better understands natural language, making it easier to communicate even if you don’t phrase things perfectly. If you start asking Siri to set an alarm, then change your mind and ask for a timer, Siri will follow along and adjust to your request. Additionally, Siri can handle follow-up questions without requiring you to repeat the context, making conversations smoother.
Type to Siri:
For the first time, Siri allows you to type questions instead of only speaking them. This is useful in noisy environments or quiet settings where speaking out loud isn’t possible. Simply double-tap the button on your iPhone or iPad to start typing your queries.
Enhanced Product Knowledge:
Siri now has expanded knowledge about Apple’s products and services. For example, if you need help learning how to schedule a text message, Siri can guide you step-by-step, eliminating the need to navigate settings or search help pages.
Coming Soon:
Apple plans to roll out additional features soon. One of these will make Siri aware of your personal context. For example, Siri could pull up a recipe your friend Alice shared, even if you can’t recall whether it was in a text or an email. Siri will also be able to take actions based on what’s on your screen. If you receive a new address from a friend, you can ask Siri to add it directly to their contact card.
Additionally, Siri will soon be able to operate across multiple apps. You could ask Siri to enhance a photo in the Photos app and then send it to someone via Messages—all without manually switching between apps.
These new capabilities signify a major step forward for Siri, making it not just a voice assistant, but a more intuitive and proactive tool for everyday tasks.
