Apple Faces AI Delays Amid Siri Upgrade, Vision Pro Challenges, and $124.3 Billion Revenue

Apple is under scrutiny for delays and perceived shortcomings in its artificial intelligence (AI) strategy. The company announced a generative AI upgrade for Siri, called Apple Intelligence, in June 2024, but the release has been postponed indefinitely. The delay has sparked concerns about Apple's ability to compete with rivals like Amazon, which recently updated its Alexa assistant with generative AI, and Google, which has introduced advanced AI features. Analysts attribute Apple's slower progress to its strong emphasis on data privacy, which limits the personal data required for effective AI functionality. Critics, including tech analyst John Gruber, have highlighted the underwhelming performance of Apple's AI features, such as text message summaries, and the absence of many promised capabilities in the heavily promoted iPhone 16. Additionally, the company's Vision Pro headset has faced lackluster reception. Despite these challenges, Apple remains the world's most valuable company, reporting $124.3 billion in revenue during the holiday quarter, though its stock has declined 8% since the start of the year.