Apple & Google Break the Rivalry; Gemini to Power Siri AI

The rivalry between Google and Apple is one of the talking points in the tech industry. In the past, both companies have taken direct shots at each other via software, hardware, and ecosystems. Well, that’s kind of changed today. After a major failure in delivering ga roundbreaking AI-powered Siri, Apple has sought the help of Google. Meaning, Siri will now be powered by Gemini on future iPhones coming later this year.

In a joint statement published earlier today, both tech giants announced:

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.

After careful evaluation, Apple determined that Google’s AI technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and is excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for Apple users. Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute, while maintaining Apple’s industry-leading privacy standards.

While neither company has confirmed financial details, reports from last year suggest that Apple might be paying around $1 billion for access to Google’s AI technology. The deal is also not exclusive, according to sources familiar with the matter, giving Apple flexibility moving forward.

Before settling on Google, Apple reportedly evaluated competing models from OpenAI and Anthropic. With that, Apple made sure that it was making the right, not rushed, decision. As you may know, Apple’s AI journey hasn’t been without criticism. Siri, in particular, has lagged behind rivals like ChatGPT and Gemini, despite Apple quietly building strong foundational models.

The company even introduced Apple Intelligence in 2024, bringing AI to photos, notifications, and system-level features, all while keeping privacy front and center. But, it isn’t enough in the AI era, which Apple has realized the hard way. Much of Apple’s AI processing happens on-device or through controlled infrastructure. Moreover, Apple says those standards will remain intact through its partnership with Google.

All that said, it’s highly likely that the AI-powered Siri revamp will be available by the end of this year, when the iPhone 18 series is launched.