Apple and Google have forged a multi-year partnership to integrate Google's Gemini AI models into Siri, with the revamped voice assistant scheduled for release later this year. The agreement, announced Monday, positions Alphabet as a key player in the intensifying artificial intelligence race against competitors like OpenAI.
The collaboration leverages Google's advanced AI technology across Apple's ecosystem of more than 2 billion active devices. "Google's AI technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models," a Google representative stated, confirming the partnership will extend to future Apple Intelligence features.
This development follows Apple's 2024 integration of ChatGPT into its devices, which enabled Siri to handle complex queries through optional OpenAI-powered responses. Analysts suggest the new Gemini deal positions ChatGPT in a supplementary role for specialized requests rather than as the primary AI solution.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk raised concerns about market concentration in a social media post, stating: "This seems like an unreasonable concentration of power for Google." The criticism comes as Musk's xAI firm accelerates development of competing AI models.
The partnership builds on Apple and Google's longstanding search engine agreement while addressing recent challenges in Apple's AI strategy. After facing delays in Siri upgrades and mixed reception to initial generative AI tools, the tech giant aims to regain momentum through this collaboration.
Market response proved immediate, with Alphabet's valuation surpassing $4 trillion following the announcement. The deal underscores shifting alliances in the AI sector as major players compete to define next-generation smartphone intelligence while maintaining privacy standards through Apple's Private Cloud Compute system.
