Signalling its biggest step yet into generative AI after months of delays and market pressure, Apple chooses Google’s Gemini AI to upgrade its Siri.
Apple has entered a long-term partnership with Google to support its next generation of artificial intelligence (AI) features, including a major Siri upgrade expected later this year. The collaboration will use Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology as the foundation for Apple’s future AI capabilities.
According to a joint statement, Apple selected Google after evaluating several options. The company said Google’s technology offered the strongest base for its Apple Foundation Models. Apple added that the partnership would enable new user experiences across its devices.
Despite relying on Google’s AI stack, Apple said the models will continue to operate on its own hardware and through its private cloud computing systems. This approach is intended to preserve performance and user privacy. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Earlier reports suggested Apple had been exploring a customised version of Gemini to power a revamped Siri. Separate reports indicated Apple could pay Google around $1 billion annually for access to its AI technology, though neither company confirmed those figures.
The agreement strengthens Google’s position in the fast-moving AI market. The company has gained momentum after several years of pressure from rivals such as OpenAI. In 2025, Google recorded its strongest performance since 2009 and recently overtook Apple in market value for the first time in several years.
Google already pays Apple billions of dollars annually to remain the default search engine on iPhones. That arrangement faced uncertainty after US regulators ruled Google held an illegal monopoly in online search. A later court decision allowed Google to avoid major structural penalties and continue commercial partnerships.
The AI deal also highlights Apple’s increasing urgency to deliver advanced AI features. While rivals such as Microsoft, Amazon and Meta have invested heavily in AI infrastructure, Apple has moved more cautiously. Its long-promised Siri upgrade was delayed last year until 2026, drawing criticism.
Apple currently works with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into Siri for complex queries. The company said this arrangement remains unchanged. How the new Google partnership will shape Siri’s future architecture remains unclear.
