Key Points
- Apple will use Google’s Gemini language models for the next‑gen Siri.
- The deal is described as a multi‑year partnership.
- Gemini will run on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute to keep user data separate from Google.
- Apple’s statement cites Gemini as the most capable foundation for its future models.
- Bloomberg reports Apple may pay roughly $1 billion a year for the access.
- Apple continues to develop its own AI models for eventual replacement of third‑party tech.
Apple’s Strategic AI Partnership with Google
Apple disclosed that the next generation of Siri, slated for release later this year, will be driven by Google’s Gemini language models. The move is part of a multi‑year agreement that enables Apple to integrate Gemini into its own software ecosystem.
In a statement to CNBC, Apple explained that after a careful evaluation, the company determined Google’s technology offers the most capable foundation for Apple’s upcoming foundation models. The statement emphasized the potential for new user experiences that the partnership will unlock.
Technical Implementation and Data Privacy
According to Bloomberg, the Gemini models will operate on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers. This architecture is designed to keep user data walled off from Google’s infrastructure, addressing privacy concerns and ensuring that data remains under Apple’s control.
Financial Terms and Future Plans
Bloomberg also reported that Apple may be paying Google about $1 billion annually for access to the Gemini models, following an extensive evaluation period. While the partnership provides a powerful short‑term solution, Apple indicated it continues to invest in its own language‑model research with the goal of eventually using its own models instead of relying on third‑party offerings.
Implications for Siri and the AI Landscape
The integration of Gemini is expected to make Siri significantly more intelligent and capable, positioning Apple to compete more aggressively in the generative‑AI arena. By leveraging Google’s advanced models while maintaining strict data segregation, Apple aims to deliver enhanced functionality without compromising its long‑standing emphasis on user privacy.
Industry observers see this collaboration as a pragmatic step for Apple, allowing the company to accelerate AI advancements while it continues to build its own in‑house capabilities. The partnership underscores the growing trend of major tech firms joining forces to bring cutting‑edge AI to consumer products.
Source: arstechnica.com