Apple is finalizing a deal to use Google’s advanced artificial intelligence technology to revamp its Siri voice assistant, according to a report by Bloomberg News. Under the terms of the deal, Apple will pay approximately $1 billion annually for access to Google’s AI systems, specifically the Gemini model, which boasts a staggering 1.2 trillion parameters. This model will serve as a stopgap solution for Apple until its own AI systems are fully developed.
The move comes as Apple seeks to improve Siri’s performance, which has historically lagged behind competitors like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant, especially when handling complex, multi-step requests or integrating with third-party applications. The Gemini model’s complexity far exceeds Apple’s current capabilities, which could provide a significant boost to Siri’s functionality.
While the deal will enhance Siri’s AI, it does not involve the integration of Google’s AI search into Apple’s operating systems, nor does it involve the use of Google’s AI directly as a chatbot for Siri.
This partnership follows delays in Apple’s own AI development, with the company having announced in March that improvements to Siri would be postponed until 2026. The company has since shaken up its leadership, with Mike Rockwell taking charge of Siri’s development after CEO Tim Cook lost confidence in AI head John Giannandrea’s ability to deliver.
This deal comes amid a rush by tech companies to incorporate AI features into their voice assistants, with Google and Amazon already rolling out advanced AI capabilities for their respective platforms.
