Apple Bets on AI Overhaul at WWDC 2026 as Tim Cook Prepares to Hand Over the Reins

Apple used its annual WWDC 2026 developer conference at Apple Park to mount an aggressive response to sustained criticism over its AI capabilities, unveiling a sweeping overhaul of Siri and its broader Apple Intelligence platform powered in part by Google’s Gemini family of models.

The upgraded Siri is positioned as more capable, more conversational, and visually intelligent, gaining its own standalone app while continuing to work across the existing app ecosystem. Apple senior vice president Craig Federighi framed the AI push around privacy, asserting that data is used solely to execute user requests and that independent experts can verify that commitment at any time.

Beyond Siri, Apple announced new AI tools across its core apps. The Photos app is gaining generative editing features including perspective reframing and scene extension. A new systemwide dictation experience built into the iOS 27 keyboard will handle spelling, punctuation, and formatting corrections, putting Apple in direct competition with third-party AI dictation tools. The Shortcuts app is also being updated to accept natural language prompts, lowering the barrier for non-technical users. Apple said it collaborated with Google on the next generation of Apple Foundation Models underpinning these experiences.

iOS 27 will extend support back to the iPhone 11, and the company said the release will reach more users than any previous iOS update.

The keynote carried additional weight as it marked the final WWDC appearance of chief executive Tim Cook, who announced he will hand leadership to hardware engineering head John Ternus on September 1. Cook closed proceedings by reflecting on the company’s mission and expressing confidence that its best work remains ahead.