Apple bets on Google Gemini to deliver AI-powered Siri

Apple is significantly behind Google, Amazon, Meta, and OpenAI in the AI race. Despite the hype, Apple Intelligence failed to live up to expectations, and the long-delayed AI-powered Siri is nowhere in sight. Reports from a few months ago claimed Apple could tap Google Gemini to make Siri better. And today, the two companies have made this partnership official.

Google and Apple have signed a multi-year partnership that will allow Apple to base future Apple Foundational models on Google Gemini. As part of this, Apple will also use Google's cloud technology.

Apple was reportedly working on its in-house AI models for more Apple Intelligence features and an AI-powered Siri. But with multiple high-profile exits in its AI division and the team's inability to deliver in the past, the company also supposedly began internally evaluating models from OpenAI or Google to power its AI features.

Apple added ChatGPT integration to the iPhone with iOS 18, enabling Siri to pass complex queries to ChatGPT. Even then, Apple went with Gemini for its foundation models, likely due to its close relationship with Google. The latter already pays Apple billions of dollars every year to remain the default search engine on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

Apple issued the following statement to CNBC:

After careful evaluation, we determined that Google’s technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and we’re excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for our users.

It's important to note that Apple will use Gemini for its foundation models. So, Gemini will not directly power Siri, but the layer below it.

Gemini-powered Siri to run on Apple's servers

Apple could always add its own improvements and customizations on top for a better experience. Additionally, Google Gemini-powered Apple Foundation Models will only run on Apple's Private Cloud Compute and follow the company's privacy standards.

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Multiple reports point to Apple releasing the long-delayed AI-powered Siri with iOS 26.4 in March or April this year. Apple initially announced the smarter Siri at WWDC24, but ultimately delayed its release until 2026.

Whenever it arrives, the next-generation Siri will be capable of taking actions across multiple apps using voice commands. It should also be able to pull relevant contextual information from various system apps.