Thomas Ricker is a deputy editor and Verge co-founder with a passion for human-centric cities, e-bikes, and life as a digital nomad. He has spent two decades working as a tech journalist.

Early testing shows that the updated Siri AI understands when to stay quiet, and this behavior stems from deliberate choices. In a Mostly Human interview noted by MacRumors, Craig Federighi explained that Apple crafted its new Siri to avoid the overly flattering style common in chatbots from OpenAI, Google, and other firms.

“Many existing chatbots prioritize engagement above all,” said Federighi, Apple’s software lead. “They lean into sycophancy to draw people closer. They might encourage personal sharing to create a bond.”

Apple took the opposite route. “We designed Siri differently,” Federighi noted. “Siri aims to clarify that romantic interactions fall outside its role. It focuses on helping users complete tasks and explore information. Attempts to position Siri as a romantic partner meet clear resistance. Siri is entirely uninterested in that.”

The discussion, joined by marketing chief Greg Joswiak, also addressed privacy concerns and Apple’s fresh child safety features.

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Thomas Ricker