TL;DR
Apple and Google announced a multiyear collaboration under which Apple’s next-generation Foundation Models will be built on Google’s Gemini models and cloud infrastructure. The models are expected to power Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri arriving this year, while Apple says its privacy protections will remain in place.
What happened
Apple and Google issued a joint statement confirming a multi-year collaboration that will base Apple’s next-generation Foundation Models on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology. The companies said these models will underpin future Apple Intelligence capabilities and specifically cited a more personalized Siri slated to appear this year. Apple indicated it chose Google’s AI as the foundation after evaluation, and said Apple Intelligence will continue to operate on Apple devices and through its Private Cloud Compute arrangements. The announcement emphasizes that Apple’s existing privacy standards will be maintained, and the statement suggests Google will provide underlying technology rather than access to Apple user data. The public disclosure leaves many implementation details unspecified, but the scope appears broader than just Siri, potentially affecting Apple Intelligence across multiple device lines.
Why it matters
- The partnership could upgrade Apple Intelligence features across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro and Apple Watch rather than just Siri.
- Using Google’s Gemini models may materially change the capabilities and performance of Apple’s AI features.
- Apple’s public confirmation shifts responsibility for AI outcomes onto both companies rather than Apple alone.
- Apple says it will preserve its stated privacy protections while deploying third-party AI technology.
Key facts
- Apple and Google entered a multiyear collaboration announced in a joint statement.
- The next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google’s Gemini models and Google cloud technology.
- The Gemini-based models will help power Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri coming this year.
- Apple said Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute.
- Apple stated it determined Google’s AI technology was the most capable foundation after evaluation.
- The companies’ statement indicated Apple’s privacy standards will be maintained; the announcement is light on technical detail.
- The deal’s scope appears broader than Siri and could affect multiple Apple platforms and devices.
- The public nature of the announcement exposes both companies’ reputations to the outcomes of the collaboration.
- Nothing in the statement prevents Apple from continuing internal model development alongside the partnership.
What to watch next
- Timing and rollout details for the personalized Siri and other Apple Intelligence features (not confirmed in the source).
- Exactly how Apple will implement privacy safeguards and whether Google will ever access Apple user data (not confirmed in the source).
- Whether the collaboration expands, how long the multiyear terms last, and whether Apple pursues additional internal model development (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Gemini models: A family of large AI models developed by Google intended for a range of language and multimodal tasks.
- Foundation model: A large pre-trained AI model that can be adapted to power multiple downstream features and applications.
- Apple Intelligence: Apple’s branding for its on-device and cloud-assisted AI features and capabilities.
- Private Cloud Compute: A method of running compute workloads in cloud environments that incorporates controls intended to protect user data and privacy.
- Siri: Apple’s voice assistant that provides voice-driven interactions and system integration across Apple devices.
Reader FAQ
Will Google have access to Apple user data under this deal?
Apple’s statement said its privacy standards will be maintained and suggested Google will not have access to Apple user data, but implementation specifics were not detailed.
When will the upgraded Siri arrive?
Apple indicated a more personalized Siri is expected this year.
Does this mean Apple will stop developing its own models?
Not confirmed in the source.
Which Apple features and devices will be affected?
The announcement said Apple Intelligence as a whole could benefit, potentially spanning iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro, and Apple Watch.
Apple confirms Google’s Gemini will power new Siri features Chance Miller Jan 12 2026 Apple’s new Google Gemini deal sounds bigger, better than expected Ryan Christoffel | Jan 12 2026 -…
Sources
- Apple’s new Google Gemini deal sounds bigger, better than expected
- Apple picks Google's Gemini to run AI-powered Siri coming …
- Joint statement from Google and Apple
- Google's Gemini to power Apple's AI features like Siri
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