Apple Picks Google Gemini to Power Siri’s AI Upgrade
▼ Summary
– Apple and Google have announced a multi-year partnership where Google’s Gemini AI models will serve as the foundation for Apple’s next-generation AI features, including a major Siri upgrade.
– Apple’s models will continue to run on its own devices and Private Cloud Compute infrastructure, with the company stating it will maintain its privacy standards.
– Apple will continue its existing partnership with OpenAI, integrating ChatGPT for complex queries, while using Google’s technology as the core foundation for Apple Intelligence.
– The deal significantly extends the reach of Google’s Gemini AI into Apple’s vast ecosystem of over 2 billion active devices, which handle 1.5 billion Siri requests daily.
– The upgraded AI-powered Siri is expected to launch later in 2026, though a specific date has not been provided.
A significant new alliance in the artificial intelligence sector is set to reshape how millions interact with their devices. Apple has officially entered a multi-year partnership with Google, selecting the Gemini AI models to serve as the foundational technology for a major upgrade to Siri and the broader Apple Intelligence system. This collaboration, confirmed in a joint statement, marks a strategic shift for Apple as it seeks to rapidly enhance its AI capabilities. The companies stated that after a thorough evaluation, Apple determined Google’s technology offered the most capable foundation for its next-generation models, promising innovative new experiences for users.
The core of this deal involves Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology powering the underlying infrastructure for Apple’s AI features. Importantly, Apple emphasizes that its own models will continue to operate on-device and through its Private Cloud Compute infrastructure, a system designed to uphold what the company calls its “industry-leading privacy standards.” This setup aims to blend powerful cloud-based AI with Apple’s commitment to data security. While the precise financial details were not disclosed, previous reports suggested discussions around Apple paying Google approximately one billion dollars annually for access to its AI technology.
This decision follows a period of evaluation where Apple reportedly chose Google over other contenders like Anthropic, largely based on the financial and technical terms of the agreement. The partnership arrives at a pivotal moment for both tech giants. Google’s parent company, Alphabet, recently surpassed Apple in market capitalization, highlighting its strengthened position. Meanwhile, Apple had previously delayed its ambitious AI-powered Siri overhaul, signaling the complexity of the undertaking and the need for a powerful partner to accelerate development.
Notably, this new foundational partnership with Google exists alongside Apple’s current arrangement with OpenAI. Apple confirmed that its existing integration of ChatGPT into Siri and Apple Intelligence for handling complex queries will remain unchanged. The distinction lies in Gemini powering the core Apple Intelligence experience, while ChatGPT remains an optional, external tool for users seeking its specific knowledge base. This dual-provider strategy allows Apple to leverage different strengths for different tasks.
The implications of this deal are substantial. By integrating Gemini, Apple gains access to cutting-edge AI to revitalize Siri, which handles an astounding 1.5 billion requests daily across over two billion active devices. For Google, it represents an unprecedented distribution channel, embedding its AI technology directly into the world’s largest device ecosystem. If successful, a more capable Siri could answer more questions directly on the device, potentially changing how users seek information and interact with apps.
The upgraded Siri experience, powered by this collaboration, is anticipated to launch later in 2026. As the rollout approaches, the industry will be watching closely to see how Apple balances and integrates the capabilities from both Google and OpenAI, shaping the next chapter of personal AI assistants.
(Source: Search Engine Journal)
