Apple Opens iOS 27 to ChatGPT and Gemini: An AI Revolution in Progress

Apple, the tech giant, seems to have chosen a new direction in artificial intelligence. Instead of trying to catch up with language models like ChatGPT or Google Gemini, the company is focusing on a redesign of Siri in the upcoming version of its operating system, iOS 27. This update is expected to allow the integration of third-party AI, effectively transforming the App Store into a true marketplace for AI agents. Apple plans to apply its proven financial strategy by taking a 30% commission on each transaction, a practice it has maintained for 18 years.

According to reports from Bloomberg, Apple may unveil this new approach at the upcoming WWDC scheduled for June 8. Rather than developing its own language models, Apple seems to want to capitalize on its role as a platform, a strategy that has already proven successful in the past.

A centralized AI store within Siri

With iOS 27, Apple will introduce a system called "Extensions." This mechanism will allow users to directly access third-party AI applications such as Claude from Anthropic, Google Gemini, or ChatGPT through Siri. Thus, users will no longer need to leave the voice assistant to switch from one model to another. Siri will become the single entry point, regardless of the AI requested in the background.

Apple, which already allows users to choose third-party browsers or email clients by default, aims to apply this flexibility to AI providers. However, the stakes are much higher here, as this involves the foundational layer of the operating system. When a user opts for a premium model, the transaction occurs through Apple's mechanisms, thus ensuring a 30% commission for the Cupertino firm.

Siri for local tasks, and complex tasks delegated

The emergence of ChatGPT in 2022 caught Apple off guard, leading to an exodus of several dozen engineers to companies like OpenAI, Meta, Google, and Anthropic. To counter this trend, Apple began offering exceptional bonuses, ranging from $200,000 to $400,000, to iPhone designers, with a staggered vesting over four years.

Apple is thus seeking to integrate enough AI into iOS to prevent its users from turning to Android. By opening its platform to those who are heavily investing in large models, Apple also hopes to capture a share of the generated value. At the same time, the company is collaborating with Google to integrate Gemini technology into Siri, allowing it to offer AI features without having to develop them in-house.

By positioning itself as a platform, Apple can pair an AI model with its Apple Silicon chips. This allows for local execution of tasks with its own algorithms, while more complex tasks are delegated to the servers of the provider chosen by the user.