Apple to Launch AI-Powered Web Search Tool ‘World Knowledge Answers’ for Siri in 2026
Apple is developing a new AI-powered web search feature called World Knowledge Answers that it plans to integrate into Siri starting in 2026, positioning it to compete with offerings from OpenAI and rivals like Perplexity AI and Google’s AI Overviews.
This upcoming update aims to transform Siri from a basic voice assistant into an “answer engine” that pulls information from across the internet and provides detailed, multimodal responses, including text, images, videos, and local points of interest. The feature is scheduled for release alongside a broader Siri overhaul planned for next spring, according to multiple reports citing sources close to Apple.
The new system will use large language models (LLMs) to generate concise and conversational summaries from web search results, thus enhancing Siri’s ability to answer complex queries more accurately. Apple is also developing additional components around this core feature, such as a planner and summarizer, to improve the context, flow, and relevance of answers.
Apple internally refers to the service as World Knowledge Answers, and executives describe it as an “answer engine” designed to provide Siri users with comprehensive responses rather than simple fact-checking. The AI search tool is planned to initially launch within Siri but may later extend to other Apple ecosystem features such as Safari and Spotlight search, broadening its role in everyday information retrieval on iPhones and other Apple devices.
Reports indicate Apple is partly looking to Google’s Gemini AI model to power this new search experience, having reached a formal agreement to evaluate and test the Google-developed AI technology. Apple is also reportedly testing other AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic, underscoring its intention to optimize Siri’s AI capabilities with the best available technology.
This move comes after Apple faced delays with an earlier generation of Siri’s architecture and necessitated a rebuild using second-generation large language model frameworks. Craig Federighi, Apple’s software engineering chief, stated that the new architecture has reached a performance level that allows a “much bigger upgrade” than originally planned.
Apple’s planned AI search feature signals a strategic shift in how billions of queries on iPhones may be answered in the near future. It could reshape the digital landscape for brands and businesses, as visibility will depend not just on traditional Google search rankings but also on how Apple’s AI surfaces and summarizes relevant content through voice and web search results.
The expansion of AI-centric search tools is part of a broader industry trend accelerating since 2024, with companies fiercely competing to innovate in conversational AI and next-generation search experiences. Unlike standalone chatbot apps, Apple’s approach tightly integrates the AI-powered functionality directly into its core iOS features, prioritizing user experience within Siri and system-wide search.
Alongside the AI search rollout, Apple is expected to redesign Siri’s interface visually and embed new features such as a built-in health assistant, potentially underpinning upcoming subscription wellness services.
As AI continues to redefine search technology, Apple’s World Knowledge Answers may play a pivotal role in competing with established platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s AI-powered search tools.
Sources: Bloomberg, Search Engine Land, MacRumors, PYMNTS, 9to5Mac, AppleInsider.