Apple partners with Google to bring Gemini AI to Siri

Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year partnership that will see Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence models power a more personalised version of Siri along with select Apple Intelligence features. The agreement was announced on Monday, January 12, underscoring Apple’s decision to supplement its in-house efforts with external AI technology.

The arrangement enables Gemini to support the upgraded Siri experience that Apple previewed at its Worldwide Developers Conference in 2024. Apple has faced delays in rolling out a more advanced version of its voice assistant, and the partnership offers a practical route to deliver on previously announced AI capabilities amid intensifying competition in the sector.

Apple said that Apple Intelligence will continue to function on its devices and through its Private Cloud Compute system, reinforcing its emphasis on user privacy. This suggests that Gemini models could operate either directly on Apple hardware or via Apple-managed servers. At present, there is no confirmation on whether Google will have access to Apple user data as part of the collaboration.

The deal has reportedly been in development for several months. Progress was slowed by repeated postponements to Siri upgrades and earlier indications from Apple that it was exploring partnerships with external AI research labs to support advanced model development. A report published by Bloomberg in November indicated that Apple could pay approximately $1 billion per year for access to Google’s foundational AI models, although the companies have not disclosed financial details.

The announcement follows years of regulatory scrutiny surrounding the companies’ earlier commercial relationship, particularly an agreement under which Google paid Apple billions of dollars to remain the default search engine on Apple devices. That arrangement has been examined by antitrust authorities in the United States.

Market reaction to the latest partnership was measured. Apple shares rose by about 0.3 per cent, while shares of Google’s parent, Alphabet, gained close to one per cent. The collaboration is seen as significant for Apple, which has a large global user base and strong cash reserves but has yet to deliver AI products matching the visibility of its peers.

With Gemini integrated into Siri, the revamped assistant is expected to better interpret personal context and provide more tailored responses, enhancing the overall Apple Intelligence experience for users.