Apple built its own ChatGPT-like app to test out new Siri AI revamp

Apple's big AI revamp for Siri is getting closer and closer.

The iPhone maker has been overhauling its Siri voice assistant in hopes of making it comparable to AI tools from companies like OpenAI and Google. In fact, speaking of the ChatGPT creator, Apple has created its own version of OpenAI's AI chatbot to test out the new and improved Siri.

According to a new report from Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman, Apple has created a ChatGPT-like app dubbed "Veritas" to prepare Siri for its revamp next year.

Veritas is only for internal use among Apple employees in its AI division, and the company has no current plans to release it to the public.

However, news of Vertias' existence gives us an important look into Apple's plans. Apple is perhaps the biggest tech company that has yet to fully immerse its products in AI like its competitors. Apple launched its own AI features, Apple Intelligence, just last year. However, unlike its competitors, Apple Intelligence is powered by a combination of Apple's own technology and AI technology from partnered companies.

Veritas is being used to test Apple's new system, named Linwood, that powers the revamped Siri, according to Gurman. Linwood uses large language models, including Apple's own, combined with a third-party model. Apple is also utilizing Veritas in order to test out features that will be integrated into its new Siri voice assistant, which is still in production. In addition, the company will also evaluate whether these features serve users in an AI chatbot format as well. 

According to the report, some features being tested include AI search through a user's personal data, which includes everything from the music library to emails. Testing is also being conducted on in-app features like editing photos with AI.

Apple just recently released its latest smartphone, the iPhone 17. Looking over Apple's other soon-to-be-announced products, the new Siri appears to be the next big mobile release. Over the past few weeks, reports have pointed to Apple still working out which AI companies to partner with for the new and improved voice assistant.

However, the Siri revamp has been delayed many times before. Gurman reports that Apple is currently slated for a March 2026 debut for the new Siri.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.