SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – With sales of Apple’s flagship iPhone slowing , the spotlight is on the company’s hunt for its next big thing. Apple’s annual software developers conference, which kicks off Monday, will be its next big opportunity to show the world what’s coming next.
Artificial intelligence, and Apple’s wisecracking digital assistant Siri, could play a big role.
Of course, Apple is expected to unveil a number of other advances – software improvements for its iPhones, iPads and Mac computers and a possible overhaul of its music service chief among them. After Apple’s dust-up with the FBI earlier this year over iPhone security, it might also announce new security measures to protect users’ data.
But AI is emerging as a major new tech battleground, one where Apple may have some ground to make up. Siri made a big splash when it debuted five years ago. But as other tech giants jockey to build intelligent “chat bots” and voice-controlled home systems capable of more challenging artificial-intelligence feats, Siri at times no longer seems cutting edge.
MAKING SIRI SMARTER