Google, Apple near deal to integrate Gemini AI into Siri

Google is close to finalizing a deal with Apple to integrate its Gemini AI model into iPhones, confirmed by Google CEO Sundar Pichai during his testimony in an antitrust trial.

The agreement is expected by mid-2025, with a rollout planned for the end of the year.

This integration could allow Siri to handle more complex queries, similar to Apple’s existing collaboration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Apple’s Craig Federighi suggested last year that future updates to Apple Intelligence might allow users to choose AI models like Google Gemini.

Pichai also mentioned discussions with Apple CEO Tim Cook about AI advancements and the potential inclusion of Gemini.

While neither company has officially commented on the deal, references to “Google” were found in an iOS beta, hinting at the collaboration.

🔗 Source: The Verge

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Historical shift in Apple’s AI strategy reflects changing competitive landscape

Apple’s embrace of Google’s Gemini represents a significant pivot from its traditionally independent AI development approach.

Apple was notably absent from the original “Partnership on AI” formed by Google, Facebook, Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft in 2016, only joining several months later in January 2017 1.

This pattern of independence has characterized Apple’s AI strategy for years, with the company historically focusing on privacy and on-device processing rather than cloud-based AI capabilities 2.

The move to integrate both OpenAI’s ChatGPT and now potentially Google’s Gemini suggests Apple recognizes it cannot compete independently in the generative AI race where competitors are making massive investments.

Google alone plans to increase its AI investment from $32.3 billion to $75 billion by 2025, while Microsoft is doubling its AI spending from $41.2 billion to $80 billion in the same period 3.

This collaboration shows how even the most self-sufficient tech giants are adapting to an AI landscape that demands both specialized expertise and enormous resource commitments.