Apple to Launch AI-Powered Web Search Tool ‘World Knowledge Answers’ for Siri in 2026
Apple is preparing to significantly upgrade Siri by integrating an AI-powered web search tool named World Knowledge Answers, set to launch in early 2026 as part of a major Siri overhaul. This new feature aims to transform Siri from a voice assistant into a comprehensive “answer engine” that can pull and summarize information from across the web, rivalling AI search tools from OpenAI, Perplexity, and Google.
According to multiple reports, including Bloomberg and Search Engine Land, the World Knowledge Answers tool will provide users with quick, multimodal responses that blend text, images, videos, and local search results, offering a richer and more interactive experience than the current fact-checking capabilities of Siri. Apple plans to initially integrate this technology into Siri but aims to expand it to other key platforms like Safari and Spotlight search on iPhones, potentially changing the landscape of everyday search on Apple devices.
A New Era for Siri
The overhaul requires rebuilding Siri’s underlying architecture, moving away from the first-generation system to a second-generation model powered by large language models (LLMs). This advanced architecture allows Siri to better parse complex queries and generate detailed, conversational summaries. Apple engineers have been developing this new Siri version for some time, with initial plans for release as part of iOS 18 delayed due to early technical challenges. However, as of August 2025, Apple software chief Craig Federighi has indicated that the updated architecture meets the company’s expectations and that the rollout will be a significant upgrade.
The revamped Siri will also include a three-component system: a planner, a search operator, and a summarizer. Together, these will enable the assistant to understand user requests, find the most relevant information across the web, and provide clear, concise summaries.
Leveraging External AI Models
Interestingly, Apple is reportedly using Google’s Gemini AI model as part of the engine powering this new search experience. This collaboration suggests Apple is open to leveraging external AI research to enhance its offerings while maintaining a distinct Apple user experience. There were also speculations that Apple considered adding a standalone chatbot app, but the company has decided to embed the AI search tool directly into Siri and iOS features for now.
Broad Implications for Search and User Experience
Apple’s move into AI-powered search marks a major shift. Traditionally, Apple has been cautious about entering direct competition with Google in search. However, the rising popularity of AI chatbots and conversational agents for information gathering has pushed the company to innovate. If successful, World Knowledge Answers will reshape how billions of iPhone users access information, making visibility less dependent on traditional Google search rankings and more focused on how well content is surfaced and summarized by Apple’s AI.
Moreover, the introduction of AI search capabilities into Safari and Spotlight could extend Apple’s influence across more user touchpoints, setting it on a competitive path alongside Google’s Gemini-driven search and Microsoft’s Copilot. It also narrows the gap between Apple’s offerings and those from standalone AI search startups like Perplexity.
Future Prospects
Looking ahead, the redesigned Siri will get further enhancements, including a visual redesign and integration of health-related features that could support new subscription services, expected later in 2026. This indicates Apple’s broader strategy to make Siri an indispensable, intelligent assistant beyond simple task execution.
Overall, Apple’s planned launch of the AI-powered World Knowledge Answers tool represents its most ambitious effort yet to redefine digital search and virtual assistance on Apple devices.