Apple is developing a generative AI system called the Answer Engine, an initiative that could change how users access information across iPhones, Macs, and iPads. The project is being led by the company’s new Answers, Knowledge, and Information (AKI) team, according to Bloomberg. The group, headed by Robby Walker under Apple’s AI chief John Giannandrea, is tasked with building a lightweight, ChatGPT style model designed to synthesize responses from across the web.
While Apple has not disclosed the technical specifics, job postings confirm the company is seeking engineers with expertise in search algorithms and engine development to create what it calls “intuitive information experiences” across Siri, Spotlight, Safari, and Messages, as reported by MacRumors. Additional coverage from PYMNTS notes that the technology could debut either as a standalone app or through deep integration into Apple’s ecosystem.
Challenging Google’s Stronghold
The timing underscores Apple’s shifting stance on search. In April 2025, Safari queries fell for the first time in more than 20 years, according to testimony by Eddy Cue, Apple’s SVP of Services, cited in Business Insider. Cue attributed the decline to users turning to AI systems instead of traditional search engines. That shift raises questions about the future of Apple’s multi‑billion‑dollar deal with Google, which pays to remain the default search provider on Apple devices, according to the Financial Times.
In parallel, Reuters reported that Apple executives have held internal discussions about a potential acquisition of Perplexity AI, though no offer has been made. The Financial Times also noted exploratory conversations with Anthropic and DeepSeek, as Apple weighs AI partnerships to diversify beyond Google.
A Privacy First Angle
Apple’s longstanding emphasis on privacy could set the Answer Engine apart. By building the system internally, the company maintains control over data collection and processing—an increasingly critical differentiator as generative AI platforms face scrutiny over information provenance and security, according to reporting from Apple’s longstanding emphasis on privacy could set the Answer Engine apart. By building the system internally, the company maintains control over data collection and processing—an increasingly critical differentiator as generative AI platforms face scrutiny over information provenance and security, according to reporting from AInvest.
Impact for Creative Workflows
For designers and creative professionals, the implications are practical. Embedding generative intelligence into system-level tools like Spotlight or Safari could make research, ideation, and fact-checking more seamless, reducing reliance on external apps or platforms. The approach signals Apple’s intent to create not just another chatbot, but an intelligence layer that works natively within its ecosystem.
Looking Ahead
Apple has delayed its broader Siri overhaul until 2026, according to TechRadar. While reports stop short of confirming the Answer Engine as the cornerstone of that update, industry analysts suggest the project could play a pivotal role. Reuters also noted that Tim Cook has signaled Apple is ready to expand its AI investment, including building new data infrastructure and pursuing acquisitions.
The Answer Engine remains in development, but the signals are clear: Apple intends to bring generative AI deeper into the user experience—on its own terms, and with its own priorities.
