In a dramatic shake-up of its AI strategy, Apple is preparing to rely on Google — its long-time rival — to power the next version of Siri. After years of lagging in the AI race, Apple is reportedly finalizing a deal worth roughly $1 billion a year to license a custom version of Google’s 1.2 trillion-parameter Gemini model to power the next generation of its voice assistant, according to a report from Bloomberg News on Wednesday.
A Rare Dependence On A Rival
For years, Apple has positioned itself as independent and privacy-first, building tightly controlled systems and rarely depending on competitors for core technologies. However, Siri, once a pioneer in consumer voice technology, has struggled to keep pace with more capable assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
The assistant’s difficulties in handling complex, multi-step requests and integrating smoothly with third-party apps have been a persistent source of user frustration and internal concern for Apple.
With new Siri features already delayed to 2026, Apple recognized it needed outside help. After reportedly evaluating multiple partners, including Anthropic, Apple chose Google — in part because Anthropic’s offer was believed to be about 50% more expensive.
By turning to Google, Apple is acknowledging that it needs a rapid boost in intelligence while it works on its own next-generation models. Google’s custom Gemini model, built specifically for Apple’s needs, is expected to help Siri perform deeper reasoning, generate summaries, and carry out multi-step tasks that Apple’s current models cannot support.
A Massive Leap In AI Power
Apple is pushing to finish a 1 trillion-parameter model it hopes to launch next year. The Cupertino giant’s current cloud model uses roughly 150 billion parameters, while the version running on devices has just 3 billion parameters. By comparison, Google’s custom Gemini model, at 1.2 trillion parameters, packs a level of complexity far beyond Apple’s existing technology.
Gemini will handle Siri’s most advanced functions, including:
- Complex task planning
- Multi-app workflows
- Summaries across messages, emails, and documents
Meanwhile, Apple will continue to use its own models for tasks that require strict privacy protections and on-device processing.
A Partnership With Limits
Despite the scale of the deal, this is not a full-on Google takeover of Siri. According to Bloomberg:
- The partnership does not integrate Google Search into iOS
- It is separate from earlier talks about adding Gemini as a built-in chatbot
- It will not be highlighted in Apple’s public marketing
- It excludes China, where Apple will use separate, localized AI systems not based on Gemini
A Make-or-Break Turning Point For Siri
The revamped Siri — partly powered by Google — is expected in spring 2026, with Gemini handling its most sophisticated “thinking” abilities. Whether Apple can regain its footing and eventually stand on its own is still an open question. But one thing is clear: the future of Siri — unexpectedly — will begin with Google.
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