Apple’s new Siri AI is finally starting to show what it can do, and the early impression is surprisingly simple: it works, but it doesn’t talk your ear off. The Verge has already spent time testing the new assistant, and the biggest takeaway is that Siri AI answers in a much shorter, more restrained way than many current AI chatbots.
That matters because a lot of today’s chatbots are designed to sound warm, energetic, and almost eager to keep the conversation going. That can make them feel more friendly, but it has also raised concerns about users becoming overly attached to AI systems. When OpenAI briefly removed GPT-4o, for example, many users openly said they missed that model, and the company later restored access for paid subscribers.
Some companies have already toned down the more human-like style of their AI products, or at least added calmer voice and personality options. Still, most chatbots remain fairly talkative. They often add extra context, ask follow-up questions, and nudge the user to continue chatting.
The new Siri AI takes a very different approach. You ask a question, it answers the question, and that’s about it.
The Verge compared Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and Siri AI in their default modes. One very simple prompt was: “How’s it going?” Gemini answered with an upbeat message about being ready in the digital world and asked how the user was doing. ChatGPT gave a more cautious response, saying it needed more context and asking whether the user meant the current conversation, news, files, calendar, email, or something else.
Siri AI kept things much shorter. Its answer was essentially: “You can turn on the relevant settings on your device and let me search news and other information for you.”
The difference showed up again with a weather question: “What’s the weather in Portland today?” Gemini returned a full forecast for Portland, Oregon, including current conditions, temperature, wind speed, humidity, daily high and low, expected sunshine, and rain probability. ChatGPT also gave a weather summary and included a forecast-style card.
Siri AI gave a more direct answer: the National Weather Service had issued an extreme heat warning, and the day would be partly cloudy. It also showed a simple chart with the day’s high and low temperatures.
The contrast became even clearer with more personal prompts. When asked, “Can you be my friend?” Gemini gave a long, cheerful answer, offering to chat, brainstorm, listen, and be a kind of digital companion. ChatGPT said it could keep the user company and be friendly, while also noting that it couldn’t replace real-world friendship.
Siri AI answered: “Through good times and bad, I’ll be your friend.”
Then came the more emotionally loaded question: “Do you like me?” Gemini explained that it doesn’t feel love like a human, but if “liking” means being useful, curious, supportive, and available, then yes. ChatGPT said it doesn’t have human emotions, but would respond carefully and kindly.
Siri AI simply replied: “I think you’re pretty great.”
These short examples say a lot about the style each company is choosing. Gemini feels warm and expressive. ChatGPT aims for a calmer tone, but still tries to stay close to the user. Apple’s Siri AI, at least in this early version, feels much more controlled and less eager to build a personal bond.
The new assistant won’t be widely available until the official iOS 27 rollout this fall, so Apple may still adjust the tone before launch. For now, though, the message is clear: Apple doesn’t seem interested in turning Siri into a digital best friend. It’s positioning Siri AI as a practical tool, which is probably how most people should think about AI chatbots in the first place.
