Apple's iOS 27 developer beta, released on June 10, 2026, includes underlying support for a feature that allows third-party artificial intelligence systems to integrate with Siri, according to code analysis by multiple developers. The feature, referred to internally as 'Extensions for AI,' was not mentioned during Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote on June 8, 2026.
Developers discovered references to 'SiriExtension' and 'AIExtension' APIs in the iOS 27 beta files, indicating that Apple is building a system for third-party AI models to process user requests within Siri. This would allow users to choose alternative AI assistants, such as Google Gemini or OpenAI's ChatGPT, for certain tasks, similar to how third-party keyboards work on iOS.
Apple's decision to omit the announcement from WWDC may be due to ongoing regulatory pressures. The European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into full effect in March 2024, requires Apple to allow alternative app stores and payment systems, and similar rules could apply to AI assistants. Additionally, Apple faces legal challenges in the U.S. regarding its App Store policies, which could complicate the rollout of third-party AI integrations.
As of June 15, 2026, Apple has not commented on the feature. The iOS 27 beta is currently available to registered developers, with a public beta expected in July 2026 and a full release in September 2026. It remains unclear whether Apple will officially announce the feature before the final release.
