Apple is developing a ChatGPT-like application and conducting internal tests for a major Siri upgrade.

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Apple is developing a ChatGPT-like application, aiming to reshape the public perception of its AI capabilities.

According to media reports on September 26, Apple has developed an iPhone application similar to ChatGPT, codenamed Veritas (Latin for "truth"), for internal testing as part of a highly anticipated major upgrade to Siri.

The report, citing informed sources, states that the testing includes abilities such as searching for personal data like songs and emails, as well as in-app operations such as photo editing. Veritas is currently for internal use only and Apple has no plans to release it to consumers.

After multiple delays, the new Siri is now planned to debut as early as March next year. The stakes are high for this launch. If the new features are delivered as scheduled, they will help Apple make a comeback in the AI field; otherwise, it may fall further behind smartphone competitors like Google and Samsung.

As AI features are expected to become a more critical factor affecting consumer purchasing decisions next year, market competition is heating up. Notably, at the launch of iPhone 17 this month, Apple notably avoided highlighting its self-developed AI platform.

Veritas: The Internal Testing Ground for Reimagining Siri

The Veritas software essentially puts the still-in-development new Siri technology into a standalone application, enabling employees to test more efficiently and provide feedback on the chatbot format's value.

The report, quoting people familiar with the matter, says the app is similar to mainstream chatbots on the market, allowing users to manage multiple conversations across various topics, save and reference past chat records, and supports long-term back-and-forth dialogues.

This internal app is designed to test the Siri backend system codenamed Linwood. This system is based on large language model technology and combines achievements from Apple's internal foundational model team with third-party models.

Through Veritas, testers can also collect information from the internet and view its summaries, helping advance Apple's goal of directly competing with products like ChatGPT and Perplexity within the Siri interface.

Siri Upgrade Delays and New Timeline

The path to launching the new Siri has not been smooth.

Wallstreetcn previously mentioned that Apple originally planned to launch the Siri upgrade last spring, but due to engineering issues resulting in a failure rate as high as one-third, the release was forced to be postponed.

Now, the new timeline is set for March next year, making this a high-risk catch-up race for Apple.

The upgraded Siri aims to achieve a key capability the current version cannot: taking action based on information displayed on the user's screen and allowing users to control the device more seamlessly with voice.

If Apple cannot deliver powerful AI features on time, its flagship products may lose their competitive edge.

To drive the new Siri, on one hand Apple is relying on its internal teams to develop foundational models, while also actively seeking external partnerships to bridge technological gaps.

According to Wallstreetcn, earlier this year Apple held talks with OpenAI about providing technical support for the new Siri, and later entered deep negotiations with Anthropic to use its Claude model.

Recently, Apple has strengthened discussions with Google, planning to deploy a customized version of the Gemini platform for the new Siri.

"We Must Win": Apple's Broader AI Ambitions

Although executives have shown hesitation about directly entering the chatbot market both publicly and internally, Apple's ambitions in AI are clear.

At a recent internal meeting, CEO Tim Cook called AI the biggest transformation in decades, and stated:

The company must win; this is, in some sense, in our pocket, and we will invest in it.

In addition to a major Siri upgrade, Apple also plans to launch a visually redesigned version of Siri by the end of next year.

Meanwhile, according to Wallstreetcn, the company is developing a range of AI-powered smart home devices, adding more AI features to HomePod and Apple TV, and is vigorously promoting AI-based web search.

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