Apple delays major AI features, focusing on software renaming at WWDC 2025

Apple is taking a cautious approach to artificial intelligence at WWDC 2025, delaying major AI feature rollouts while shifting its software naming convention.

The company will open its on-device foundation models to third-party developers, models currently powering features like autocorrect and text summarization, but more ambitious AI projects are postponed.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman noted, "Apple insiders believe that the conference may be a letdown from an AI standpoint," highlighting the company's need to catch up in the AI race.

This year is described as a "gap year" for Apple, with plans to save advanced AI initiatives such as an LLM-powered Siri, a revamped Shortcuts app, and a ChatGPT-like assistant with search capabilities for future releases.

In addition to AI delays, Apple will abandon traditional version numbers like iOS 18 and macOS 15, opting instead to name software updates after the year, such as iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.

This change aims to simplify version identification for users, as one commentator suggested, "the average iPhone owner does not pore over the latest iOS release notes and that many would be unable to tell you which version of iOS they are currently running." Another proposed naming style was "iPhone '26 Budget, Standard, and Deluxe," to enhance clarity.

Overall, WWDC 2025 will focus more on software branding and incremental AI improvements rather than groundbreaking AI features, reflecting Apple's strategic pacing in the evolving AI landscape.

Apple is postponing major AI feature launches at WWDC 2025, focusing instead on renaming its software versions by year, such as iOS 26. Ambitious AI projects like an advanced Siri and ChatGPT-like assistant are deferred to future releases, signaling a cautious approach amid AI competition.