A Pricey Lag in Apple's AI Push

Apple faced unwelcome news for its iPhone-focused business on a single trading day: more than $200 billion in market value disappeared from its valuation on Thursday as investors reacted to setbacks in its AI ambitions. At the heart of the sell-off is a wobble in the centerpiece of its new growth plan?the deeper integration of artificial intelligence?which now appears to be losing momentum.

The main driver of the slide was reports that Apple is encountering unexpected obstacles while upgrading its voice assistant Siri. The much-anticipated AI-powered features, which were slated to accompany the iOS 26.4 software update, seem likely to be delayed.

Rather than a comprehensive rollout, the company is now signaling a staged approach. Some innovations may arrive as early as May, while other capabilities could be pushed into the autumn. The issues appear to stem from problems uncovered during internal testing. The enhanced Siri technology relies on a partnership with Google and its Gemini models, which Apple announced in January 2026.

Pressure from two fronts

Wall Street?s reaction on Thursday was sharp: the stock declined about 5 percent, marking its strongest one-day drop since April 2025. The move came amid a broader, softer environment for technology shares.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Apple?

Adding to the pressure is a regulatory front. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission issued a warning directed at Apple?s leadership, focusing on the Apple News app. Regulators expressed concerns that the way the app curates news could be politically biased, potentially running afoul of competition laws.

Looking ahead, Apple has a lot riding on this year. After detailing its AI ambitions, the company must demonstrate that it can execute the transformation to a leading AI player on a technical level while staying clear of regulatory scrutiny.

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