Apple and Google have confirmed a multi-year deal that will see Apple using Google’s Gemini AI technology to drive certain AI features on Apple devices, including a delayed, revamped version of Siri set to launch later this year.
“After careful evaluation, Apple determined that Google’s Al technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models,” the companies said in a statement.
AI struggles
The companies said Google’s technology would run on-device or on Apple’s own servers to preserve user privacy.
Apple first teased its AI features in February 2024 and made a more detailed announcement later that year, using the tech to drive sales of newer iPhones with more advanced chips.
But the plans have been slow to materialise, as Apple has reportedly struggled to develop in-house AI models on par with those from other large tech firms.
Late last year Bloomberg reported that Apple had considered using technology from OpenAI or Anthropic but was finalising a deal with Google to use Gemini to power advanced Siri features.
The news service said Apple would be paying Google about $1bn a year to use Gemini.
Siri upgrade
In March of last year, Apple confirmed it would be delaying its more advanced version of Siri to 2026.
Google is widely considered to have equalled or surpassed the capabilities of OpenAI with its latest Gemini release, as it aggressively promotes the technology through its ubiquitous search engine and browser.
