Apple has partnered with Google in a multi-year agreement to bring Gemini AI models into the next version of Siri, marking a pivotal shift in the iPhone maker’s artificial intelligence strategy.
The partnership intends to improve Siri and strengthen AI features across all of Apple’s products. For Google’s parent company, Alphabet, it gives them a valuable advantage, helping them stay in the race against competitors like OpenAI.
The companies said in a joint statement that, “Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration under which the next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology. These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri coming this year.”
Apple stated that the company chose Google’s AI because it fit their needs the best, but all Apple AI features will still run in Apple-controlled environments, keeping user privacy intact.
This deal is a major win for Google, especially since it’s been working hard to catch up to OpenAI’s early breakthroughs. It also comes after Apple’s 2024 partnership with ChatGPT, which let Siri tap into the AI for certain queries.
According to the statement, “This strategic decision is expected to lead to exciting new experiences for Apple users, enhancing everything from Siri to other AI-driven features across its ecosystem. However, the specific details of the agreement remain undisclosed.”
By outsourcing a core component of its ‘Apple Intelligence’ suite, Apple is prioritizing rapid deployment and market relevance over its traditional ‘in-house only’ philosophy. Meanwhile, the agreement cements Google as a premier provider of foundational AI, ensuring its models reach hundreds of millions of premium device users worldwide, as per the reports.
