Google Is Powering Apple’s Biggest Siri Upgrade Yet

Apple and Google have been circling each other for years. Now, they’re officially sharing the brain.

Google’s Gemini AI is set to help power the next generation of Siri. Under a newly announced multi-year agreement, Apple will use Gemini models and cloud technology as the foundation for its upcoming Apple Intelligence features, marking one of the most significant behind-the-scenes collaborations between the companies to date.

A joint statement released by Google and Apple on Jan. 12 reads, in part:

“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.”

What does this mean for Siri users?

Siri already uses generative AI to some extent. Apple partnered with OpenAI in 2024 to integrate ChatGPT with the popular virtual assistant, and users have been using Siri to send their questions, images, and documents directly to ChatGPT ever since.

It’s unclear what, if anything, will happen to this integration once Gemini joins the fray, but Apple has informed CNBC that it isn’t planning on changing its previous agreement with OpenAI.

Either way, Gemini will play a major role in the future of Siri and the various Apple Foundation Models over the next few years. But the extra AI power won’t come cheap for Apple. According to some sources, integrating Google Gemini into Siri could carry a $1 billion annual price tag.

Moreover, the new partnership does not automatically mean that Google can access the personal data of Siri users. For instance, Apple’s current deal with OpenAI maintains strict separation between ChatGPT queries and the Siri user’s personal information. This trend is expected to continue as part of their newest partnership with Google.

Any Gemini models used will be highly customized to meet Apple’s specific needs. According to the latest news, Apple will use the pre-existing Gemini models as a springboard for its own generative AI models. This allows Apple to keep its users’ data separate from Gemini and Google as a whole.

How long will it last?

Apple and Google have not disclosed the exact length of their new partnership, but the timeline suggests it is designed to be long-term. 

The deal was finalized in January 2026, and the Gemini integration is not expected to be completed until late 2026, indicating that Siri and Gemini will be working together well beyond the initial rollout and likely for several years to come.

For a closer look at how Gemini itself is evolving, check out how Google’s Deep Research tool is adding visual reports and charts to its AI-powered insights.

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