Apple’s much-anticipated WWDC 2025 event was expected to showcase a powerful shift into AI innovation. Instead, what we got was a cautious reveal that left fans, tech insiders, and even Wall Street analysts feeling disappointed. So, what went wrong? Let’s explore why Apple’s artificial intelligence announcement didn’t pack the punch—and what this could mean for its place in the rapidly moving AI race.
1. Siri Still Not Smarter Yet
A major letdown was the lack of real progress with Siri, Apple’s voice assistant. The company’s software chief Craig Federighi admitted during the event that Siri’s big AI makeover isn’t ready yet—it still needs “more work to meet our high standards.” That announcement was enough to cause a significant stock dip, wiping out over $70 billion in market value within hours. Investors had been hoping to see Siri step up as a serious rival to Google Assistant and ChatGPT, but the roadmap remains vague. New updates to Siri may now be delayed until at least 2026.
2. Small Steps, No Big Leaps
Apple did show off new features powered by artificial intelligence, but many felt like minor tweaks rather than game-changing advancements:
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Real-time translation support in apps like FaceTime and Messages
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A new “Workout Buddy” in the Fitness app that uses AI-generated coaching
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On-device generative AI tools for developers
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AI-powered photo and emoji creation tools via integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT
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Updated user interface dubbed “Liquid Glass” for smoother navigation
All these additions were welcome but not revolutionary. Google and Samsung already offer similar tools, and Apple didn’t introduce anything truly new. For a company known for innovation, this was underwhelming.
3. Lagging Behind the Competition
Apple’s own AI models were also shown to be less powerful than what’s already out there. Their in-house on-device model, with around 3 billion parameters, is modest compared to OpenAI’s GPT‑4o or Google’s Gemini. Apple’s cloud model, used for server-side processing, was tested and found to be slower and less accurate than Meta’s LLaMA-based solutions. In simple terms: Apple’s AI isn’t just quiet—it’s also behind.
4. Privacy First, Performance Later
One reason Apple’s AI isn’t as flashy is because of its strong focus on privacy. Apple insists on doing as much AI processing on the user’s device as possible, rather than relying on cloud servers. That’s good news for your data—but it limits the power of the models Apple can use. Other tech giants have leaned into massive cloud-based AI platforms, which allow for more complex, real-time capabilities. Apple is clearly trying to strike a balance, but it may be sacrificing too much performance in the name of privacy.
5. Wall Street Wasn’t Impressed
The market reaction to the WWDC event spoke volumes. Apple’s stock slipped more than 2% after the keynote, a clear signal that investors were expecting more. Analysts were quick to react:
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One called the event a “snoozer.”
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The Wall Street Journal said Apple couldn’t even meet the low bar that was set.
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Others said the company’s AI announcements were “safe but uninspiring.”
While Apple loyalists defended the careful strategy, most observers agreed: this was not the AI breakthrough the world expected.
6. Is Slow and Steady Still a Winning Formula?
Apple is known for arriving late to new tech trends—but often doing it better. That worked for products like the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. But AI is different. In the world of artificial intelligence, progress is lightning-fast. Being a year behind can mean losing key customers and falling behind in relevance. Some fear Apple’s methodical approach may leave it playing catch-up while Google, Microsoft, and others surge ahead.
7. What Comes Next for Apple?
Here’s what Apple needs to consider moving forward:
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Fix Siri Fast: If Siri is to be the face of Apple’s AI, it needs a significant upgrade soon. And Apple needs to be more transparent about its progress.
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Partner Smarter: By teaming up with AI leaders like OpenAI, Apple can speed up innovation while keeping control of the user experience.
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Upgrade the Cloud Approach: Apple may need to adopt a hybrid strategy—combining privacy on the device with the muscle of cloud AI when needed.
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Polish What Works: Apple can continue improving its smaller, private AI models, ensuring that they work flawlessly even if they aren’t the most powerful.
8. Conclusion: A Careful, Maybe Too Careful, Step Forward
At the end of the day, Apple’s WWDC 2025 wasn’t a disaster—but it was a letdown. People expected Apple to wow the world with groundbreaking AI tech. Instead, the company delivered cautious improvements and modest new features. Apple is clearly betting on a long-term strategy—where privacy and trust matter more than flash and hype. But with the AI world changing fast, it’s fair to ask: can Apple afford to wait? This could be a make-or-break moment for Apple’s reputation as a tech leader. The next year will tell us whether its “slow but steady” approach can compete in a world that’s moving at AI speed.
