Apple has been significantly delayed in its rollout of Apple Intelligence. The company unveiled a few AI-powered features, including a more conversational Siri, at WWDC 2024 last June. However, with WWDC 2025 now just a month away, some of those features have still yet to be released. But, all that aside, Apple is planning to bring a new AI feature to its default web browser, Safari. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman report, the company recorded a dip in the Safari search in April 2025. And now, without any delay, Apple wants to fix it.
Apple planning to give Safari AI powers
Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services, Eddy Cue, revealed that the company is actively exploring a revamp of Safari that would integrate AI-driven search capabilities. This came as part of his testimony in the US Justice Department’s ongoing legal case against Google—a case that largely centres on the $20 billion agreement that designates Google as the default search engine on Apple devices, reports Gurman.
But why this sudden change of heart? Cue noted that April 2025 marked the first decline in Safari searches, attributing the shift to users increasingly turning to AI platforms for information. He believes generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity are poised to eventually supplant traditional search engines like Google. In light of this, Apple is preparing to offer these services as selectable alternatives within Safari. This means that Apple is leaning more heavily on external firms to power crucial AI features across its devices.
As part of its initial rollout of Apple Intelligence, the company has already teamed up with ChatGPT to enhance Siri’s performance. This collaboration reportedly allows Apple to integrate ChatGPT at no cost, in return for giving OpenAI significant visibility — a move that could help convert Apple users into paying subscribers. Cue has now confirmed that Apple has already initiated conversations with Perplexity.
The report states, while these AI options are unlikely to become Safari’s default in the near term, they will be added to the available search engine list. Cue explained that the AI tools still need to mature—particularly in refining their indexing capabilities—but suggested their superior features are already drawing users away from conventional search.
Cue expects rapid user adoption of AI-driven search regardless of whether these services perfect their indexing, citing the compelling functionality they already offer. As large language models advance, he anticipates a natural migration away from traditional search engines.
Despite this outlook, Cue stated that he believes Google should remain Safari’s default search provider. He admitted he loses sleep over the potential loss of revenue Apple currently enjoys through its agreement with Google—a deal that now includes integration of Google Lens into Apple’s Visual Intelligence features.