Apple CEO John Ternus presses software chief Craig Federighi for more ambitious AI roadmap, reports say
Apple's new CEO John Ternus has reportedly pushed software chief Craig Federighi to accelerate artificial intelligence development and restructure operating system engineering, targeting an agentic Siri as early as 2027.
Apple's new chief executive officer, John Ternus, recently held a closed-door meeting with software engineering head Craig Federighi to demand greater urgency and ambition across Apple's AI development, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Ternus is pressing Federighi to move past incremental Siri adjustments toward advanced, agentic capabilities amid internal concerns that the company is lagging behind industry rivals. A related report from 9to5Mac indicated Ternus is also pushing to speed up Apple's broader software engineering pace.[1][3][4][5][6]
Apple is exploring a proactive, agentic version of Siri targeted for release as early as 2027 to rival systems such as ChatGPT Dots, Meta Muse, and Grok. Despite controlling the iPhone, iPad, and Mac platforms, Apple currently has no computer-use agent comparable to tools built by OpenAI and Anthropic that can control software and execute user workflows. Early task-handling features are already appearing in developer betas of iOS 27.3, with broader agent features anticipated around iOS 27.5 or iOS 27.6 ahead of next June's WWDC.[3]
The executive push is also reshaping Apple's operating system development cycle. For iOS 28, iPadOS 28, and macOS 28, engineering teams are being granted extended time to explore, code, and test features before locking them down. The restructuring unfolds alongside organizational tension and potential personnel turnover, as Siri chief Mike Rockwell is reportedly considering leaving his role or exiting Apple altogether next year. Apple has not officially confirmed the reports.[2][3][7][8]
Key facts
- Apple's new CEO John Ternus held a closed-door meeting with software chief Craig Federighi urging him to accelerate the company's AI roadmap beyond minor Siri tweaks.
- Apple is developing an agentic, proactive Siri targeted for as early as 2027 to compete with ChatGPT Dots, Meta Muse, and Grok.
- Apple currently lacks a computer-use agent comparable to those developed by OpenAI and Anthropic, despite controlling the Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
- Engineers developing iOS 28, iPadOS 28, and macOS 28 are being allocated more exploration and testing time before merging features.
- Broader agent capabilities are projected to link to iOS 27.5 or iOS 27.6 ahead of WWDC, following task handling in iOS 27.3 beta.
- Siri chief Mike Rockwell is considering stepping down from his post or leaving Apple next year.
Sources · 7 sources
- BL
Bloomberg@businessPost on X ·
Apple’s new CEO is pressing software chief Craig Federighi to take a more ambitious approach to AI, writes Mark Gurman. Read the latest edition of the Power On newsletter: https://t.co/ZaJChVUvvX 📷: Bloomberg https://t.co/hpliM5nHCK
Open source - MC
MacRumors.com@MacRumorsPost on X ·
Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28 https://t.co/DRPuSPxudv https://t.co/lhYGfWfwQC
Open source - AG
AGTP@AGTPinsightsPost on X ·
Apple is reportedly exploring an agentic, proactive Siri as early as next year. Here's what you need to know. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in Power On, Apple wants Siri to move beyond answering commands. The goal is an assistant that proactively manages tasks and gets things done on your behalf. It is meant to rival ChatGPT Dots, Meta Muse and Grok. The push comes from the top. New Apple CEO John Ternus held a closed-door meeting with software chief Craig Federighi in the last few weeks. He pressed Federighi to accelerate Apple's AI road map and go beyond Siri improvements, amid concerns about falling behind rivals. Apple also has a Computer Use gap. OpenAI and Anthropic already offer agents that can operate software, click buttons and complete tasks for you. Apple controls the Mac, iPhone and iPad, but has no comparable capability yet. The development process is changing too. For iOS 28, iPadOS 28 and macOS 28, engineers get more time to explore and build new features before locking them in. Gurman also describes challenges in Federighi's software organization: hands-on management, vigorous debates over competing ideas, and shorter-term planning that has sometimes complicated development. There is a talent risk as well. Mike Rockwell, the executive who helped rescue Siri AI, is still seriously considering leaving his role as Siri chief, or Apple altogether, next year. Where Siri stands today: iOS 27.3 developer beta users already get Siri handling some tasks, with an expansion a few months away. Reports say the agent features would likely tie to iOS 27.5 or 27.6, ahead of WWDC next June. BGR says Siri AI is better but still in a testing phase with inconsistent bugs. Code in iOS 27.3 also has a flag for "Conversational Apps," hinting at chatbots in Apple's HomeView. Key numbers: - Agentic Siri target: as early as 2026's next year, 2027 - Likely tie-in: iOS 27.5 or 27.6, before WWDC next June - New OS versions affected: iOS 28, iPadOS 28, macOS 28 - Rivals named: ChatGPT Dots, Meta Muse, Grok Apple has not confirmed any of this, which comes from Gurman's reporting.
Open source - BL
Bloomberg@businessPost on X ·
Apple’s new CEO is pressing software chief Craig Federighi to take a more ambitious approach to AI, @MarkGurman writes in this week’s Power On. https://t.co/YkYv6eXLyR
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9to5Mac@9to5macPost on X ·
Report: John Ternus pushing Craig Federighi to speed up Apple software engineering https://t.co/Z3bpylyG7b by @mbrkhrdt
Open source - TE
TechmemeArticle ·
Sources: John Ternus wants more urgency in Apple's AI efforts, pushing Craig Federighi to move beyond Siri AI tweaks to agentic and other advanced capabilities (Mark Gurman/Bloomberg) Mark Gurman / Bloomberg : Sources: John Ternus wants more urgency in Apple's AI efforts, pushing Craig Federighi to move beyond Siri AI tweaks to agentic and other advanced capabilities — The company wants to turn Siri into a true AI agent. … Apple's new CEO is pressing software chief Craig Federighi …
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Analytics Insight@analyticsinmePost on X ·
𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗢𝗦 𝟮𝟴: 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝟱𝟬% 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 Apple is changing how its engineers build iOS 28 and macOS 28. Teams will now get more time to code and test ideas before features are merged. Will the extra time lead to stronger Apple software updates? #Apple #iOS28 #macOS28 #AppleSoftware #iPhoneUpdates #TechnologyNews #AppleUpdates #AnalyticsInsight #AnalyticsInsightMagazine Read More 👇 https://t.co/u6tWC8EfWi
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Business Today@business_todayPost on X ·
#TechToday | Apple changes how it builds iOS 28, macOS 28 as it races to make Siri a smarter AI assistant https://t.co/eoR51dL8ct
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