It’s official: Apple and Google are teaming up to power the next-generation Siri with custom Gemini models. And based on the few details that have been revealed, the deal sounds bigger and better than we were expecting.
Details of Apple’s AI deal with Google show broad scope, privacy protections
Last fall, Mark Gurman at Bloomberg reported that Apple and Google were close to striking a deal for the upgraded AI Siri to be powered by a custom Gemini model.
Today, Apple and Google confirmed the agreement in a joint statement:
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.
Though plenty of questions remain unanswered, there are several key new details here worth noting.
Chief among them is the scope: Google’s Gemini models aren’t just powering the new Siri, they’ll also be used for more Apple Intelligence features.
This is a big piece of news, as it means that the entirety of Apple Intelligence could get some big upgrades across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro, and Apple Watch.
We also got assurance that Apple’s current privacy standards will be upheld as part of this deal.
Though the statement is light on details, it sounds like no Apple user data will be accessible to Google. Instead, the company is simply providing the underlying tech for Apple to deploy with its own safeguards and protections.
Why Apple-Google deal going public could be good news too
The fact that Apple and Google are going public about the deal is also, in my view, good news.
Why? Because it puts both companies’ reputations on the line.
If Apple kept the Google partnership private, as rumors indicated it might, then any future Siri failings would be pinned solely on Apple.
Thanks to Google’s AI expertise, I’m optimistic that Siri flubs won’t be as big of a problem very soon.
But now the success or failure of future Apple Intelligence features, including Siri’s forthcoming upgrades, will be attributed to both Apple and Google.
If future AI features fall short, Apple won’t take sole blame anymore.
Also, if this multiyear deal goes well, Apple and Google can keep the partnership going. But there’s nothing stopping Apple from quietly improving its own internal models behind the scenes in the meantime.
Overall, this seems like a win for Apple, for Google, and for users too. I’m excited to see the fruit of this partnership—hopefully in the near future.
What’s your take on Apple and Google’s AI deal? Let us know in the comments.
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