Apple is officially teaming up with Google to supercharge its AI features, starting with a much-anticipated revamp of Siri expected later this year.
Quick Summary – TLDR:
- Apple and Google have signed a multi-year deal to integrate Google’s Gemini AI models into Apple devices.
- A more personalized version of Siri, powered by Gemini, is set to launch in 2026.
- Apple will maintain its privacy standards using on-device processing and private cloud compute.
- The partnership is not exclusive and follows Apple’s evaluation of several AI models, including OpenAI and Anthropic.
What Happened?
Apple has confirmed a multi-year agreement with Google to use the Gemini AI model and cloud infrastructure to power its next-generation Apple Foundation Models. This deal is aimed at significantly enhancing Siri and other Apple Intelligence features across its devices. While the companies did not disclose financial details, earlier reports suggest Apple could be paying around $1 billion annually for access to Google’s AI technology.
Apple confirms they will use Google Gemini to power the next version of Siri 📱 pic.twitter.com/bkEQ8bRHjx
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) January 12, 2026
A Major Leap Forward for Siri
Apple, once seen as trailing in the AI race, is making a bold move by joining forces with Google, its longtime partner. The companies released a joint statement confirming the collaboration, stating, “Google’s technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models.”
The Gemini-powered Siri aims to offer a more personalized and capable assistant experience for iPhone users. After multiple delays, Apple has now confirmed that this overhauled Siri will arrive later this year, possibly in the spring.
Key points from the deal:
- Gemini models will power Apple’s AI efforts, including the upgraded Siri.
- Apple Intelligence will continue running on-device or through Apple’s Private Cloud Compute.
- The partnership is not exclusive, meaning Apple may still integrate other AI models, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Behind the Scenes of the AI Collaboration
This agreement marks a shift in Apple’s typically vertically integrated approach. The iPhone maker usually relies on in-house hardware and software. But after testing models from OpenAI and Anthropic, Apple determined that Google’s Gemini provided the best path forward.
Apple had already partnered with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT to Siri for complex queries. It remains unclear how the Google deal will affect that integration moving forward.
Internally, Apple has been building its Apple Intelligence features quietly. These features include:
- Photo search powered by AI
- Notification summaries
- On-device processing with a focus on user privacy and security
Legal Clouds Over Google
The timing of this deal is also interesting given Google’s ongoing antitrust battles. A judge ruled in 2024 that Google acted illegally to maintain dominance in search by paying companies like Apple to be the default engine. Between 2021 and 2022 alone, Google paid Apple $38 billion for default placement.
However, final remedies issued in 2025 allowed non-exclusive deals like this new AI collaboration. Google’s earlier legal win also ensured that its business model, including browser and search agreements, would remain intact for now.
SQ Magazine Takeaway
I think this is the kind of bold move Apple had to make. For too long, Siri felt outdated while other assistants like ChatGPT and Gemini took the spotlight. By joining forces with Google, Apple is saying loud and clear: they’re ready to compete in the AI race. What stands out to me is Apple’s insistence on maintaining privacy while still pushing the envelope in AI capabilities. That balance could be a game-changer, especially for users who care about where and how their data is used. This is Apple playing catch-up.
