Apple insists building chatbot was never its goal

In an interview following Apple's WWDC 2025, Craig Federighi, the company's senior vice president of Software Engineering, emphasized that the development of a chatbot in the vein of ChatGPT was not part of Apple's strategy. Instead, the focus for Siri and Apple Intelligence is to integrate AI features into existing applications. This approach aims to enhance user experiences by keeping assistance contextually relevant in familiar workflows, rather than steering users towards a dedicated chatbot experience. Federighi acknowledged that while conversational bots can serve various supportive functions, Apple prioritized developing reliable tools over rushing new features. Apple's decision to not pursue a chatbot development aligns with its broader principle of quality over speed. Last year's planned revamp of Siri was deferred after testing outcomes revealed that the initial version did not satisfy customer expectations or Apple's high standards. This decision reflects a cautious approach toward AI enhancements, as the company aims to avoid disappointing users with incomplete or ineffective features. Contrasting Apple's AI strategy with the excitement that surrounds developments like ChatGPT, Federighi noted the critical importance of embedding AI in day-to-day applications such as the Phone app and Messages. New functionalities like Call Screening and Live Translate reinforce the idea that technological advancements should feel intuitive and useful to users, rather than just novel. The launch of translation capabilities across various Apple platforms is expected to further streamline user interactions. Despite delays and cautious advancements, Apple's stock market response to WWDC 2025 was not entirely positive, with some analysts suggesting that the announced features felt marginal and reactive. Criticism included remarks about the lack of innovative AI features in the announcement, while others, such as Goldman Sachs, retained support for the company's stock outlook, indicating potential for future growth despite immediate concerns. While the AI community might see Apple's research on limitations in current AI models as a setback, it serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in deploying AI responsibly and effectively. Ultimately, Federighi's focus on integrating AI responsibly within products signifies a deliberate effort to elicit user satisfaction and build upon Apple's reputation of quality and reliability, while ensuring their features remain practical and beneficial in everyday scenarios.