Apple reinvents Siri and says goodbye to Tim Cook at WWDC 2026
A long-awaited AI upgrade for Siri stole the show at Apple’s recent Worldwide Developers Conference, where outgoing CEO Tim Cook announced the company’s latest advancements in an emotional farewell.
Siri AI promises to be a much smarter assistant than the current version, learning from previous interactions, conversing more naturally, and understanding images better. Apple is hoping to compete with AI offerings such as ChatGPT and Claude by giving Siri AI its own dedicated app.
Apple is betting its emphasis on privacy will give it an edge, with software chief Craig Federighi taking a swipe at rivals for chasing “AI for the sake of AI” instead of creating something that meets users’ genuine everyday needs.
The tech giant also announced it will be partnering with Google, using its cloud infrastructure and Gemini models to power its Apple Foundation Models. Although an English beta is expected later this year, regulatory disputes mean EU users will have to wait.
Apple is also focusing on safety, with iOS 27 offering stronger parental controls. Parents will be given better ways to manage who can contact their children and filter inappropriate messages they receive.
WWDC 2026 marked Tim Cook’s final keynote before stepping down in September. He called his 15-year tenure at Apple “the honour of a lifetime” and looked visibly moved after receiving a standing ovation. Successor John Ternus was on hand at the event, and he clearly has some very big shoes to fill.