Apple and Google have announced a groundbreaking partnership that will fundamentally transform Apple’s Siri digital assistant by integrating Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence models. The multi-year deal, which reports suggest will cost Apple approximately $1 billion annually, marks a significant shift in Apple’s AI strategy.
The Partnership Details
The companies confirmed their collaboration through a joint statement, stating that “Google’s AI technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models.” Under the agreement, Apple will leverage Google’s Gemini models and cloud technologies to power future Apple Intelligence features, including a completely redesigned Siri.
This partnership represents a notable change for Apple, which has historically relied on its own internal AI development and previously worked with OpenAI for certain generative tasks. The deal is not exclusive, meaning Apple may continue integrating other AI providers into its ecosystem.
Expected Launch Timeline
Apple plans to introduce the upgraded Siri alongside iOS 26.4 in March 2026, with full public access anticipated by mid-2026]. The company has already delayed this overhaul multiple times, but spokesperson confirmation to TechCrunch indicates the enhanced assistant is finally coming this year.
What the New Siri Will Do
The AI-powered Siri is expected to be significantly more personalized and contextually aware. According to Apple’s promotional materials, the assistant will:
- Understand personal context from emails, messages, and calendar data
- Handle multimodal interactions including text, images, and voice
- Provide tailored reminders, recommendations, and suggestions based on user habits
- Control smart home devices like HomeKit with predictive intelligence
- Improve natural language understanding to reduce misunderstandings
Privacy Remains a Priority
Despite relying on Google’s cloud technology, Apple emphasizes that “Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute, while maintaining Apple’s industry-leading privacy standards.” The company plans to combine Gemini’s efficiency with on-device processing to keep user data secure.
The Competitive Landscape
This partnership comes as Apple faces criticism for Siri lagging behind competitors like Google Assistant and other AI assistants. The deal also signals potential complications for OpenAI, whose CEO recently issued a “Code Red” warning about intensifying competition.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has previously indicated the company plans to integrate multiple AI partners over time, with Anthropic and Perplexity also under consideration for future integrations.
Antitrust Considerations
The partnership comes amid ongoing antitrust scrutiny of Google. A federal judge ruled in 2024 that Google illegally maintained search monopoly dominance partly through payments to Apple for default search placement, with recent remedies limiting exclusive agreements. However, observers suggest consumer benefits from enhanced AI capabilities may outweigh regulatory concerns.
Apple’s decision to embrace Google’s Gemini technology signals that even the world’s largest technology companies recognize the value of strategic collaboration in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.