Apple Inc. has been facing significant setbacks in the development of its Siri virtual assistant, with internal concerns surfacing about the pace of progress. Robby Walker, a senior director at Apple, recently addressed employees in the Siri division, acknowledging that delays in key features have been both frustrating and embarrassing. He further pointed out that the decision to promote the technology before it was fully prepared only worsened the situation, highlighting the challenges the company is currently facing.
During the all-hands meeting, Walker was candid about the difficulties the Siri team is enduring, describing this period as particularly tough. He also admitted that there is no clear timeline for when the anticipated improvements will be ready for release. His remarks, shared by individuals familiar with the meeting, illustrate the uncertainty surrounding Apple’s AI development. Given that this discussion was internal, those who disclosed details requested anonymity.
Apple’s struggles with artificial intelligence have put it at a disadvantage compared to competitors. While rival companies continue to push the boundaries of AI, Siri has lagged behind, reinforcing perceptions that Apple is falling behind in this crucial area. The company’s difficulties became even more apparent last week when it was forced to concede that critical Siri updates would not be arriving as planned. This announcement further fueled concerns about Apple’s ability to compete in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
The delays and internal dissatisfaction underscore a broader issue: Apple’s historically cautious approach to AI innovation may be hindering its ability to keep pace with industry leaders. While the company has excelled in hardware and software integration, the AI revolution demands a different kind of agility—one that Apple has yet to fully embrace. As competitors continue to advance, the pressure is mounting for Apple to deliver meaningful improvements to Siri and reassert itself in the AI race.
