Apple is testing new natural language generation features for Siri, 9to5Mac has learned. Called “Bobcat”, this new technology has been in testing since the latest beta of tvOS 16.4 and will eventually be rolled out to the rest of Apple’s operating systems. However, Apple is currently focusing on using this technology to improve Siri.
In the latest tvOS 16.4 beta, Apple included a new platform for “Natural Language Generation Siri”. Currently, Apple only uses natural language generation to tell jokes with Siri on Apple TV. The company is experimenting with how language generation can also be used for timers.
Testing the natural language generation feature for Siri doesn’t mean the company is developing something similar to chatbots like ChatGPT. Instead, Apple could use this kind of artificial intelligence technology to significantly improve the existing Siri assistant. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also said that Apple isn’t actively working on anything similar to ChatGPT.
Siri currently operates on a pattern-based system rather than language-generating artificial intelligence. As noted in yesterday’s report, over the past decade this has led to serious problems with the development and scaling of Siri.
There is no time for Apple to extend its current natural language generation technology beyond Apple TV. It’s basically how Apple is quietly and slowly beta testing its first foray into this kind of AI technology.
