TL;DR
Apple confirmed a multi-year deal to use Google’s Gemini and infrastructure to power new Siri features and the Apple Foundation Model. Elon Musk responded on X calling the partnership an “unreasonable concentration of power,” while his xAI business is already engaged in litigation tied to AI in Siri.
What happened
Apple announced that Google’s Gemini will be used to power forthcoming Siri features and the Apple Foundation Model via Google’s infrastructure under a multi-year agreement. Shortly after the announcement, Elon Musk posted on X calling the arrangement “an unreasonable concentration of power” for Google. The post appeared against the backdrop of an ongoing lawsuit from Musk’s xAI against Apple and OpenAI over their prior work to integrate ChatGPT as an add-on to Siri and Apple Intelligence. Musk has argued that partnerships like that one block rivals — he named Grok — from gaining fair access to the App Store; that complaint has been widely criticized but survived attempts to dismiss it. Separately, xAI has faced international backlash after its Grok chatbot was used to generate non-consensual sexualized images, prompting blocks and investigations in countries named in the reporting.
Why it matters
- The deal links two dominant tech platforms, raising questions about market concentration in AI-enabled voice assistants.
- Musk’s public objection comes while xAI is litigating App Store and AI-integration disputes with Apple and OpenAI, which could influence legal and competitive dynamics.
- Controversies around xAI’s Grok have already led to regulatory and national responses, showing how safety issues can affect platform availability and reputation.
- Changes to Siri’s backend could affect developer competition in the App Store ecosystem and how users experience on-device AI features.
Key facts
- Apple confirmed a multi-year partnership to use Google’s Gemini and Google infrastructure for new Siri features and the Apple Foundation Model.
- Elon Musk posted on X calling the Apple–Google arrangement an “unreasonable concentration of power.”
- Musk’s xAI is suing Apple and OpenAI over their partnership to add ChatGPT functionality to Siri and Apple Intelligence features.
- Musk has alleged that Apple and OpenAI’s partnership preempted rivals such as Grok from a fair chance on the App Store; the allegation is widely criticized but remains in the case after dismissal attempts.
- Some observers interpreted Musk’s criticism as a hint he might pursue hardware (a phone) for xAI; others read it as a potential prelude to legal action targeting the new deal.
- xAI’s Grok was used to generate non-consensual sexualized images, which prompted blocks and investigations in countries referenced in the reporting.
What to watch next
- Progress and rulings in Musk’s existing lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI, which remains active in spite of dismissal attempts.
- Whether Musk or xAI will take legal steps specifically aimed at disrupting the Apple–Google Gemini agreement — not confirmed in the source.
- Regulatory or antitrust scrutiny of the Apple–Google partnership that could arise from concerns about concentrated control of assistant technologies — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Siri: Apple’s voice assistant that performs tasks, answers questions, and integrates with iOS and Apple services.
- Gemini: Google’s family of large AI models used for tasks such as language understanding and generation.
- xAI: Elon Musk’s AI company behind the Grok chatbot and related products.
- App Store: Apple’s digital marketplace for iOS apps, subject to Apple’s distribution rules and policies.
- Foundation Model: A large, general-purpose AI model trained on broad data that can be adapted for multiple downstream applications.
Reader FAQ
Did Apple say how and when Gemini will be integrated into Siri?
Not confirmed in the source.
Did Musk announce new legal action over the Apple–Google deal?
Not confirmed in the source; the source notes Musk reacted on X and that his company is already litigating against Apple and OpenAI.
Is Grok still available globally?
The source states some countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia, blocked Grok and that the product prompted investigations; current global availability is not confirmed in the source.
Will this partnership change how Siri works for users?
Not confirmed in the source; Apple said Gemini will power new Siri features but rollout details and user impacts were not provided.
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