In a bold and unexpected partnership, Apple will pay Google around US$1 billion annually to use its Gemini AI as the backbone of a new and smarter Siri, reports Bloomberg.
The Gemini model, with 1.2 trillion parameters, will run securely within Apple’s Private Cloud Compute, ensuring that user data never leaves the company’s controlled infrastructure. The next Siri will go far beyond voice commands, gaining the ability to plan schedules, manage activities, and summarize information automatically.
This integration also includes a version optimized for China’s regulatory environment, showing Apple’s adaptability to regional requirements while it continues work on its own AI engine.
Observers say Apple’s reliance on Google’s technology is a stopgap solution—a practical measure to stay competitive while refining its internal AI research.
The upgraded Siri is expected to debut around March or April 2026, within iOS 26.4, offering performance comparable to ChatGPT but deeply embedded into Apple’s ecosystem.
Neither company has commented on the agreement, though Apple emphasized that its AI roadmap remains focused on security, privacy, and responsible innovation.