TL;DR
Apple has entered a multiyear deal to use Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology as the foundation for upcoming Apple AI features, including a major Siri upgrade. The companies say the models will run on Apple devices and Apple’s private cloud compute; details and financial terms were not disclosed by Apple.
What happened
Apple announced a multiyear partnership with Google to use Google’s Gemini models and cloud infrastructure as the foundation for future Apple AI efforts, including a planned overhaul of Siri. The arrangement was described in a joint statement obtained by CNBC’s Jim Cramer; Apple said Google’s technology was the most capable base for its foundation models. Both companies said the models will operate on Apple devices and within Apple’s private cloud compute environment. Apple declined to comment on deal terms. Earlier reporting from Bloomberg said Apple had been in talks last year about a custom Gemini model and that Apple might pay roughly $1 billion a year, but that figure has not been confirmed by Apple. The move comes as Apple has previously integrated OpenAI’s ChatGPT for certain Siri queries, and the future impact of the Google tie-up on that integration is described as unclear.
Why it matters
- Signals a major vendor choice: Apple selecting Google’s Gemini marks a notable validation of Google’s AI stack.
- May accelerate Siri’s long-promised AI upgrade by combining Gemini with Apple’s device and cloud environment.
- Raises questions about how Apple will balance multiple AI partnerships (Google and OpenAI) in its products.
- Highlights the growing role of large cloud and model providers in shaping device-level AI experiences.
Key facts
- Apple and Google describe the agreement as a multiyear partnership to use Gemini and Google cloud technology.
- The joint statement referenced by CNBC said models will run on Apple devices and Apple’s private cloud compute.
- Apple declined to provide details on the financial or contractual terms of the deal.
- Bloomberg reported that Apple had held early talks with Google in August and later suggested Apple might pay about $1 billion per year; that figure has not been confirmed by Apple.
- Apple has previously integrated OpenAI’s ChatGPT into Siri and Apple Intelligence for complex queries.
- Apple delayed a larger Siri AI rollout last year and said it expected to roll features out in the coming year.
- Google released an upgraded Gemini 3 model late last year, underscoring recent product momentum.
- Following the announcement, stock movements briefly pushed Google’s market value above $4 trillion before pulling back, per reporting in the source.
What to watch next
- Timing and scope of the Siri upgrade that Apple says will arrive in the coming year (monitor official Apple release dates).
- Whether Apple’s existing integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT will change as a result of the Google partnership (source says this is unclear).
- Specific financial terms and contractual details of the multiyear deal (Apple declined to comment; not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Gemini: A family of large AI models developed by Google for tasks such as language understanding, generation and multimodal processing.
- Foundation model: A large-scale machine learning model trained on broad data that can be adapted for many downstream applications.
- Private cloud compute: Dedicated cloud computing resources managed for a single organization, often used to run workloads with specific privacy or control requirements.
- Siri: Apple’s voice assistant that answers queries and controls device features; Apple has been developing updated AI capabilities for it.
Reader FAQ
Will Apple pay Google $1 billion a year for this deal?
Bloomberg reported that figure in earlier coverage, but Apple has not confirmed payment terms in the joint statement.
Will the new Siri run fully on users’ devices?
The companies said the models will run on Apple devices and Apple’s private cloud compute, indicating a mix of on-device and private-cloud operation.
Does this end Apple’s work with OpenAI and ChatGPT?
Apple told CNBC it is not making changes to its agreement with OpenAI; the longer-term implications are described as unclear.
When will the upgraded Siri arrive?
Apple delayed a broader Siri rollout last year and said it anticipates rolling features out in the coming year; specific release dates were not provided.
TECH Apple picks Google’s Gemini to run AI-powered Siri coming this year PUBLISHED MON, JAN 12 202610:19 AM ESTUPDATED MON, JAN 12 20261:41 PM EST Samantha Subin @SAMANTHA_SUBIN WATCH LIVE…
Sources
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