Apple Forms Secret 'Answers' Team to Develop ChatGPT-Like Search Engine [Report]

Apple has quietly formed a new team to develop a search and "answer engine" that would serve as a homegrown, stripped-down alternative to ChatGPT, according to a new report from Mark Gurman. The group, internally dubbed Answers, Knowledge and Information (AKI), is reportedly building a system capable of crawling the web to respond to general-knowledge questions—a major move in the company's in-house AI development.

The move comes as Siri remains frustratingly inconsistent at answering questions. While it can handle some basic queries, the assistant often hands off more complex requests to a stripped-down version of ChatGPT or simply punts users to a standard Google web search. This leaves Apple in a vulnerable position, especially with its lucrative search deal with Google under threat from a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit.

Apple's services chief Eddy Cue recently testified in court that AI-based search is the future and confirmed that the company is exploring partnerships with startups like Perplexity. Despite some internal skepticism about chatbots, Apple appears to be moving forward with its own solution. The company has recently begun advertising job openings for the AKI team, seeking experience with search algorithms and engine development.


The new team is led by Robby Walker, a senior director who previously oversaw Siri before being reassigned following engineering delays. Walker's team is reportedly exploring a standalone app and new back-end infrastructure to power search in future versions of Siri, Spotlight, and Safari. After last year's Apple Intelligence rollout was seen as underwhelming, and with the most advanced Siri features delayed until at least 2026, this new effort signals a more direct approach to competing in the AI search space.

This renewed focus on in-house AI was underscored by CEO Tim Cook, who recently called AI ""one of the most profound technologies of our lifetime"" during an earnings call. In a subsequent all-hands meeting, Cook rallied staff, calling the AI revolution ""ours to grab"" and acknowledging that while Apple has ""rarely been first,"" it invents the ""modern"" versions of new technologies. Software chief Craig Federighi added that the revamped Siri will be a ""much bigger upgrade than we envisioned.""

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