Apple is testing a new internal chatbot named Veritas, designed to help refine and expand Siri’s capabilities as part of its broader artificial intelligence efforts. The project, revealed in a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, highlights the company’s ongoing struggle to keep up with rivals in the fast-moving AI race.
Apple’s cautious AI approach
Apple has faced delays in its AI rollout, with the next-generation version of Siri repeatedly pushed back. Its recent Apple Intelligence announcement also drew a lukewarm response, raising concerns over whether the company can compete with major players like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft. Veritas appears to be Apple’s answer to those concerns, serving as a private tool to test new functions before they reach the public.
According to Gurman, Veritas enables employees to test features such as searching through personal data and performing in-app actions, including editing photos. By keeping the platform internal, Apple can collect direct feedback and refine the technology in a controlled environment. This approach is designed to expedite development and prevent errors before any public rollout.
How Veritas works
Veritas functions much like popular chatbot platforms such as ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. Employees can type queries, engage in conversations that build on previous answers, and revisit older exchanges to continue discussions. This iterative process mirrors the way consumer chatbots operate, though Veritas remains strictly for Apple staff.
Despite the similarities, Gurman noted that Apple does not currently plan to release Veritas to the general public. He argued that this decision could be a mistake, as rivals gain ground with products already in the hands of millions of users. For now, Apple appears content to use the chatbot only as a testing ground, rather than as a consumer-facing product.
Future reliance on Google Gemini
While Apple continues to refine Siri internally, it is also reportedly preparing to rely more heavily on Google’s Gemini for AI-driven search. The potential partnership suggests Apple may focus on integrating existing technology rather than rushing to deliver an entirely homegrown solution. This could help Apple provide more advanced AI features in the short term, even if it raises questions about the company’s long-term independence in the AI space.
For now, Veritas remains an internal tool, with no signs of a consumer release. Apple’s decision to prioritise private testing over public rollout underscores its careful, if cautious, approach to artificial intelligence at a time when competitors are aggressively expanding their reach.
