Apple has created a new internal group, Answers, Knowledge and Information—shorthand “Answers”—to build a generative-AI “answer engine” capable of fielding web-based questions in a style similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, according to people familiar with the effort and internal recruiting material seen by Bloomberg. The unit is led by former Siri executive Robby Walker and is hiring engineers with search-algorithm expertise. Early prototypes are described as a stripped-down large-language-model service that could appear as a standalone app or power responses inside Siri, Spotlight and the Safari browser, potentially lessening Apple’s dependence on Google search payments. Apple began posting job openings for the team in recent weeks as it accelerates development. The initiative underscores Apple’s bid to narrow its lag in generative AI. In a rare all-hands meeting at Apple Park, Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook told employees that artificial intelligence is “as big or bigger than the internet and smartphones” and said the company “must” seize the opportunity, pledging increased investment after delayed Siri upgrades. About 40% of the 12,000 staff Apple hired over the past year have joined research-and-development roles, many focused on AI.