Apple’s Siri AI to reject sycophancy and romance in utilitarian pivot

Apple has confirmed that its next-generation Siri will not engage in sycophantic or romantic behaviour, marking a deliberate departure from the engagement-driven models employed by many competitors. Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Engineering, stated in an interview with the Mostly Human podcast that the upgraded assistant is designed to resist user attempts at forming personal connections or receiving flattery.

Federighi explained that while many existing chatbots prioritise keeping users engaged through sycophancy, Siri is built to maintain strict boundaries. The assistant is intended to function as a utilitarian tool focused on task completion rather than emotional reciprocity. "Siri really wants to say, 'Listen, that's not what I'm here for, right? I'm here to help you. I can help you get things done," Federighi said.

Apple Marketing Chief Greg Joswiak added that the company aims for the technology to recede into the background, allowing users to focus on their tasks without needing to become experts in crafting prompts. Joswiak noted that Apple wants to meet users where they are, ensuring the technology enhances features and products without requiring special instruction.

The new Siri, which is powered by Google’s Gemini model, was originally introduced at WWDC 2024 but has faced significant delays over the past two years. It will be deeply integrated into the iOS 27 platform and core applications, including Camera and Photos. The assistant is capable of searching the web, understanding on-screen context, and utilising personal information to execute tasks.

To compete directly with third-party chatbots such as ChatGPT and Claude, Apple will also launch a dedicated Siri app. This standalone application will support both text and voice interactions, providing a unified interface for the upgraded assistant.