Sign up to save tools and stay up to date with the latest in AI
bg
bg
1

Siri’s Original Co-Designer Says Apple’s ‘Fear of Not Being Perfect’ Hampers Siri Revamp | PYMNTS.com

Mar 10, 2025 - pymnts.com
In 2011, Apple introduced Siri, the first digital assistant in a smartphone, which was groundbreaking at the time. However, since then, competitors like Amazon's Alexa and OpenAI's ChatGPT have surpassed Siri in AI capabilities, particularly with the use of deep learning and generative AI. Luc Julia, a co-designer of Siri, notes that Apple's perfectionist culture and cautious approach have led to delays in AI advancements, with recent reports indicating that improvements to Siri are postponed until 2026. This cautiousness is reminiscent of past Apple projects, such as the problematic launch of Apple Maps, and reflects a broader hesitancy within the company to release products that aren't nearly perfect.

Julia suggests that Apple's slow pace in AI innovation is causing it to fall behind competitors, as consumers increasingly seek advanced voice-activated technologies. He attributes this to a lack of bold innovation since Steve Jobs' passing, with the Apple Vision Pro being a rare exception. Julia advises Apple CEO Tim Cook to develop a minimum viable product in conversational AI to demonstrate that Apple is still competitive in the AI race. Despite a partnership with OpenAI, Apple's AI features, including Apple Intelligence, have received lukewarm responses, highlighting the need for faster development to meet consumer expectations.

Key takeaways:

  • Apple's cautious approach to AI development has led to delays in enhancing Siri, causing it to fall behind competitors like Amazon's Alexa and OpenAI's ChatGPT.
  • Apple's perfectionist culture, which demands nearly flawless products, is a significant hurdle in rapidly advancing their AI technologies.
  • Steve Jobs was the sole advocate for integrating Siri into Apple products, showcasing his visionary approach to technology.
  • Luc Julia suggests that Apple should release a minimum viable product in conversational AI to demonstrate its competitiveness in the market.
View Full Article

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment!