KEY POINTS
- Apple will use Google’s Gemini AI models to power Siri, signaling a significant move into advanced AI.
- The partnership is multi year and focuses on foundational AI and cloud infrastructure.
- Google recently surpassed Apple in market capitalization, underscoring the growing commercial impact of AI technologies.
Apple Inc. is partnering with Google to integrate the search giant’s Gemini models into future iterations of Siri, marking a major step in the tech giant’s AI strategy.
The multi year collaboration, confirmed by Apple in a statement obtained by CNBC, aims to leverage Google’s cloud technology and foundational AI models to enhance the company’s voice assistant capabilities later in 2026.
Apple, historically cautious in adopting generative AI, has formally partnered with Google to accelerate its voice assistant capabilities.
The move comes after months of speculation that Apple sought external AI expertise to improve Siri, which has lagged behind competitors such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant.
Industry analysts view this collaboration as a strategic pivot to ensure Apple remains competitive in the global AI market.
Since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022, the AI landscape has rapidly expanded.
Hyperscalers, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta, have invested heavily in AI driven products, putting pressure on Apple to modernize Siri.
Apple had originally planned an upgraded Siri launch in 2025 but delayed it to 2026, citing development complexities.
Bloomberg reported in August 2025 that Apple was in early discussions with Google to integrate a custom Gemini model for its next generation voice assistant.
Google has steadily advanced its AI technology, releasing Gemini 3 in late 2025 and securing over $1 billion in cloud deals through the third quarter of 2025 alone, according to CEO Sundar Pichai.
Tech analysts suggest that Apple’s choice to rely on Google for AI foundational models reflects both a pragmatic approach and a recognition of Google’s cloud and AI leadership.
“Apple has the hardware ecosystem but lacks the AI training scale of Google,” said Janet Li, senior analyst at TechInsights.
“Partnering allows Apple to integrate advanced AI into Siri without shouldering the full cost and risk of model development.”
Financial experts note potential market implications. Google briefly reached a $4 trillion market value following the announcement, while Apple shares saw modest declines.
The move signals that AI partnerships can influence investor perceptions even among the largest tech companies.
Apple and Google AI Initiatives
| Metric | Apple | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI voice assistant | Siri (upgrade 2026) | Google Assistant (continuous updates) | Apple delayed Siri enhancements until 2026 |
| AI foundation models | Partnering with Google Gemini | Gemini 3 | Gemini 3 released late 2025 |
| Cloud deals (2025 Q3) | N/A | >$1B | Google’s cloud growth supports AI integration |
| Market cap | ~$3.9T (2026 Jan) | Briefly >$4T (2026 Jan) | Reflects investor response to AI news |
Apple spokesperson, “After careful evaluation, we determined that Google’s technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and we’re excited about the innovative experiences it will unlock for our users,” according to the CNBC statement.
Janet Li, TechInsights, “This partnership could redefine how AI assistants compete, as Apple combines device level optimization with Google’s AI scale.”
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, “Our cloud and Gemini models are designed to support partners at scale. Collaborations like this demonstrate AI’s expanding commercial and consumer potential.”
Apple plans to roll out AI enhanced Siri features in 2026, leveraging Google’s Gemini models.
While the company has not disclosed a detailed roadmap, experts expect phased updates integrated across iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.
The partnership may also influence broader AI adoption trends, prompting other tech companies to consider collaborative models rather than building proprietary AI in isolation.
Apple’s partnership with Google to deploy Gemini powered AI in Siri reflects a cautious but strategic embrace of generative AI.
By leveraging Google’s expertise, Apple aims to strengthen its competitive position in AI enabled consumer products while mitigating development risks.
The deal underscores the increasing interdependence among tech giants in shaping the next generation of AI-driven experiences.
Author’s Perspective
From a strategic perspective, Apple’s move to integrate Google’s Gemini models into Siri reflects a shift toward collaborative AI ecosystems, where cloud based models complement hardware innovation.
I predict cross platform AI partnerships will become the industry norm, driving faster adoption and more responsive voice assistants across devices.
For users and business owners, this means smarter, context aware Siri interactions and new opportunities for AI driven automation.
Track Apple’s Gemini powered Siri API releases to gain an early advantage in voice assistant integration.
NOTE! This report was compiled from multiple reliable sources, including official statements, press releases, and verified media coverage.
