Highlights
- Apple has confirmed a multi-year partnership with Google.
- It makes Gemini AI models the foundation for future Apple Intelligence features, including a more advanced Siri.
- Reports suggest Apple will pay around $1 billion annually for access to Gemini, which boasts 1.2 trillion parameters.
Apple has officially announced a multi-year partnership with Google that will see Siri’s upcoming AI enhancements powered by Google’s Gemini models. The confirmation comes via a joint statement from both companies, bringing clarity to months of speculation about Apple’s choice of AI partner.
Apple and Google Formalise Gemini AI Deal
In the shared statement, the companies said, “Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration under which the next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology. These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri coming this year. After careful evaluation, Apple determined that Google’s Al technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and is excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for Apple users. Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute, while maintaining Apple’s industry-leading privacy standards.”
This announcement confirms that Google’s Gemini AI and cloud infrastructure will play a central role in Apple’s next-generation Apple Foundation Models. Apple continues to emphasise on-device processing and its Private Cloud Compute approach for privacy.
Providing further insight into the partnership, a previous report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in November 2025 claimed that Apple is expected to pay roughly $1 billion annually for access to Google’s Gemini model. The model reportedly features 1.2 trillion parameters.
This would mark a significant upgrade over the current 150 billion parameter system that powers Apple Intelligence’s cloud-based features.
Expected Features Coming to the New Siri
The upgraded version of Siri is expected to debut with iOS 26.4, which is likely to roll out around March. Rumoured features include better understanding of on-screen context, more intelligent use of personal data, and the ability to manage complex, multi-step tasks.
Elon Musk Criticises Apple–Google Partnership
The announcement did not go unnoticed by Elon Musk, who reacted strongly to the news that Google’s Gemini will underpin new Siri capabilities. Musk took to X to describe the deal as “an unreasonable concentration of power” for Google.
This seems like an unreasonable concentration of power for Google, given that the also have Android and Chrome
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 12, 2026
Earlier in the day, the News from Google account on X had confirmed the multi-year partnership with Apple to power Siri and the Apple Foundation Model using Google’s infrastructure. A few hours later, Musk responded to the post with his criticism.
Apple is behaving in a manner that makes it impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1 in the App Store, which is an unequivocal antitrust violation.
xAI will take immediate legal action.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 12, 2025
Musk’s reaction comes as his AI company, xAI, is currently suing Apple and OpenAI over their partnership that integrates ChatGPT as an add-on to Siri and Apple Intelligence features. Musk has alleged that these partnerships have preempted competitors such as Grok from getting a fair opportunity on the App Store. While these claims have been widely discredited, the case is set to move forward after surviving dismissal attempts from both Apple and OpenAI.
FAQs
Q1. What did Apple announce regarding its AI partnership?
Answer. Apple confirmed a multi-year collaboration with Google, under which Siri’s next-generation AI features will be powered by Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology, while maintaining Apple’s privacy standards through on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute.
Q2. How much is Apple expected to pay for access to Gemini AI?
Answer. According to reports, Apple is expected to pay around $1 billion annually for access to Google’s Gemini model, which features 1.2 trillion parameters. It is significantly larger than the current 150 billion parameter system.
Q3. How did Elon Musk react to the Apple–Google deal?
Answer. Elon Musk criticised the partnership, calling it an “unreasonable concentration of power” for Google. His company xAI is also suing Apple and OpenAI over Siri’s ChatGPT integration, alleging unfair competition.
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