Apple’s next-generation conversational Siri AI assistant will officially powered by Google Gemini, following Apple’s belaboured efforts to create its own Apple Intelligence-based interpretation in-house.
In a joint statement, Apple and Google announced a multi-year deal to deliver the more personalised version of Siri expected later in 2026. The move is a significant admission of failure from Apple, who planned to deliver its own conversational generative AI assistant during 2025 but pushed the roll out into 2026.
Now we know that, whatever the company initially planned, was never going to cut the mustard. Now Google has been brought in to handle business as both companies look to stave off the new AI giants like OpenAI – the maker of ChatGPT.
The statement also points to a wider integration with Apple’s Foundational Models for AI being handled by Google too. That effectively says Gemini forms the back-end for whatever front-end features Apple decides to launch under the Apple Intelligence banner.
Apple says there’s no change to Apple Intelligence in terms of privacy. Everything will continue to run on the device and Apple’s Private Cloud Compute platform. Nothing will be sent to Google’s servers.
The statement reads: “Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration under which the next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology. These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalised Siri coming this year.
“After careful evaluation, Apple determined that Google’s Al technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and is excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for Apple users. Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute, while maintaining Apple’s industry-leading privacy standards.”
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