Apple is reportedly considering a major push to upskill the team behind Siri, with a rumour claiming the company could send close to 200 engineers on a multi-week intensive training programme (a bootcamp). The talk comes as Apple’s current head of AI is said to be on the verge of being replaced by a former Microsoft executive who also worked on Google’s Gemini.
A Google Gemini partnership to ship the new Siri
Apple’s struggles in the AI race are now widely recognised. While the rest of the industry was showcasing a new kind of AI through ChatGPT, Apple announced in 2024 that a redesigned Siri was on the way-one that would sound more natural, be smarter, and handle more actions within apps.
Yet in 2026, that promised breakthrough still has not arrived. To try to get out of this deadlock, Apple has reportedly even signed a partnership with Google, allowing it to rely on Gemini technologies to build this new version of Siri.
The encouraging part is that, with Google’s technology in the mix, Apple should be able to launch the new Siri this year.
A multi-week Siri coding and AI bootcamp
The same rumour suggests Apple is not only leaning on external technology but is also pushing internal changes to improve the capabilities of the engineers working on its assistant. According to a report from The Information, relayed by Cnet.com, Apple is said to be planning to send a group of fewer than 200 engineers to a multi-week bootcamp focused on coding and AI.
Even so, the Siri team would not be entirely pulled off the project:
- A group of 60 people would remain at Apple to keep developing the assistant.
- Another group of 60 people would be responsible for assessing the performance of the new Siri.
Apple wants a fresh start
As always with an unconfirmed report, this should be treated cautiously. Still, it points to Apple acknowledging just how far behind it has fallen in AI. And the implication is that the gap is not only the result of poor strategic decisions at the top.
The rumour is also circulating as John Giannandrea, Apple’s head of artificial intelligence, is leaving the company.
His departure was announced in December. His replacement, Amar Subramanya, is expected to bring “a wealth of experience” in AI to Apple. The incoming AI chief previously served as Vice President for AI at Microsoft. Before that, he spent 16 years at Google, including work on Gemini’s development, prior to leaving the company.
What we think
If The Information’s details are accurate, they highlight the scale of Apple’s AI difficulties. At the same time, the report also suggests Apple is already taking concrete steps to address them-welcome news for Siri users.
And although Apple remains in strong financial health (recent iPhones are selling very well), delivering the new Siri still matters for long-term growth. This next-generation assistant is expected to underpin future products Apple may launch later on. For instance, if Apple plans to sell smart glasses, it will need to integrate a high-performing AI for the product to be competitive.
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