Apple officially taps Google Gemini to power the next generation of Siri

According to a report from CNBC (via 9to5 Google), Apple has officially confirmed a multi-year partnership with Google to utilize Gemini models for its upcoming AI-powered Siri. After months of industry speculation and rumors of early-stage talks, the partnership confirms that Google’s foundational technology will serve as the backbone for Apple’s most ambitious software update in years.

In a statement provided to CNBC, Apple noted that after an extensive evaluation process, the company determined that Google’s Gemini technology provides the most capable foundation for what they are calling Apple Foundation Models. This collaboration is expected to unlock a suite of new, innovative experiences for iPhone and Mac users later this year, specifically targeting the long-awaited overhaul of Siri.

A strategic alliance in the AI arms race

While Apple has historically prioritized a “walled garden” approach to its ecosystem, the sheer pace of AI development has seemingly forced a change in strategy. Apple has largely remained on the sidelines while competitors integrated generative AI into every facet of their platforms. By tapping into Google’s Gemini 3 architecture, Apple is effectively shortcutting years of development to bring Siri up to modern standards.

Reports suggest that this partnership is far more than a simple licensing deal. Google is reportedly building a custom Gemini model specifically for Apple, featuring a staggering 1.2 trillion parameters. This model is designed to handle complex functions that have become standards of modern AI assistants. Interestingly, these Google-made models will reportedly run on Apple’s own server infrastructure to maintain the privacy standards the company is known for.

Google’s growing dominance in the cloud and AI

For Google, this deal is a monumental win that further solidifies its position as the leader in the AI space. Just last week, Alphabet’s market capitalization surpassed Apple’s for the first time since 2019, a milestone driven largely by the steady progress of Gemini and the massive growth of Google Cloud.

The fact that its primary rival is now a customer speaks volumes about the technical lead Google has established with its latest models. By providing the underlying engine for hundreds of millions of iPhones, Google ensures that Gemini remains the most widely used AI foundation in the world.

What to expect for Siri later this year

The updated Siri, powered by Gemini, is slated to arrive later this year, likely coinciding with the next major version of iOS. Users can expect a voice assistant that is significantly more capable of natural language processing, complex task scheduling, and deep integration across apps. While some core Siri features will still utilize Apple’s proprietary on-device models for basic tasks, the heavy lifting of generative reasoning and information synthesis will be handled by Gemini. It’s a massive shift and a big win for Google that only solidifies the company’s leadership position in the AI market.