Apple is preparing to use a custom version of Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence model to enhance Siri, its long-running voice assistant, according to multiple reports from Bloomberg News and Reuters published on Wednesday.
The iPhone maker will reportedly pay Google around $1 billion per year for access to the technology, marking one of the most significant collaborations between two of Silicon Valley’s biggest rivals. The agreement is said to be near finalization after months of evaluation by Apple.
Gemini’s 1.2 Trillion-Parameter Model to Power Siri Securely via Private Cloud
Under the deal, Apple will integrate Google’s Gemini model, which features 1.2 trillion parameters, a measure of AI model complexity, far exceeding the capabilities of Apple’s current systems.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple will run the Gemini model on its Private Cloud Compute servers, where user data is encrypted and processed securely. Some Siri functions will continue to rely on Apple’s in-house AI models, while Gemini will handle more advanced capabilities like task planning, summarization, and contextual responses.
The partnership does not include Google’s AI search features, and Gemini will not be embedded as a chatbot within Siri.
Gemini as a Stopgap: Delays in Apple’s In-House AI Development
Apple is reportedly viewing the Gemini integration as a temporary measure, or “stopgap,” until its own large-scale AI systems are fully developed and ready for deployment.
In June, Apple was said to have considered models from OpenAI and Anthropic before selecting Google’s Gemini. The collaboration follows internal challenges that delayed Apple’s rollout of new AI-powered features for Siri until spring 2026.
Apple’s AI division has undergone leadership changes amid these delays, with Mike Rockwell now leading Siri’s AI development. The shift came after CEO Tim Cook reportedly lost confidence in AI chief John Giannandrea’s execution strategy, according to Bloomberg.
Competition Intensifies: Apple Joins Google and Amazon in Advanced AI Race
The move places Apple in direct competition with other major players that have already embedded advanced AI into their virtual assistants.
Google integrated its Gemini model into its assistant last year, while Amazon recently rolled out an AI-driven upgrade for Alexa. Apple’s adoption of Gemini reflects its effort to catch up in the fast-evolving AI landscape, particularly as voice-based interfaces become central to next-generation devices.
Next-Generation Siri: Tim Cook Confirms 2026 Release and Third-Party Partnerships
During a recent earnings call, CEO Tim Cook confirmed that Apple’s AI-upgraded Siri is on track for release in spring 2026, as part of the company’s broader “Apple Intelligence” initiative.
Cook also indicated that the company remains open to third-party AI partnerships, suggesting that Apple’s collaboration with Google could be the first of several as it scales up its artificial intelligence ecosystem.
The deal, once finalized, would make Google both a competitor and a strategic partner, powering part of Apple’s flagship software experience while the company continues developing its own proprietary AI systems.
