Apple’s Siri AI Overhaul Faces Delays Amid Performance Concerns and Talent Drain

Apple's ambitious AI upgrade for Siri has hit another roadblock as internal testing reveals persistent performance issues. Engineers working on iOS 26.4, slated for release in early 2026, report the revamped assistant struggles with response accuracy and speed despite a complete system rebuild earlier this year. The next-generation Siri—designed to handle complex, multi-app queries—currently exhibits error rates that fall short of Apple's rigorous standards.

The development challenges coincide with a talent exodus to Meta Platforms, including the departure of Siri knowledge systems lead Ke Yang. These setbacks emerge as competitors race ahead in conversational AI, putting pressure on Apple to deliver its long-promised "thinking different" approach to artificial intelligence.

Investors appear unfazed for now, with AAPL shares climbing nearly 2% to $252.29 amid broader market gains. The stock movement suggests Wall Street remains confident in Apple's ability to eventually solve its AI hurdles, though the repeated delays risk eroding the company's reputation for seamless software integration.