Apple Taps Google Gemini to Power Future Siri AI
13th Jan. 2026
Apple has confirmed a major and multiyear partnership with Google to support its next generation of artificial intelligence features. This new generation of AI features also includes a long-awaited upgrade to Siri that is expected later this year. The agreement will see Apple rely on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology to underpin its Apple Foundation Models. As a result, this agreement will mark a significant shift in the iPhone maker’s AI strategy.
In a joint statement obtained by CNBC’s Jim Cramer, Apple said: “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 new experiences it will unlock for our users.” Importantly, the companies stressed that the AI models will continue to run on Apple devices as well as its private cloud compute system.
Furthermore, Apple will also look after its long-standing focus on privacy and on-device processing. While Apple declined to disclose the financial terms of the deal, but, some reports suggested that the company could pay around $1bn annually to access Google’s AI technology. Google, on the other hand, advised everyone to look at the joint statement again.
A Strategic Shift for Apple’s AI Ambitions
Although Apple has dominated consumer hardware for years. It has largely stayed on the sidelines of the AI boom sparked by OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022. In contrast, rivals such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta have invested heavily in AI tools, infrastructure, and services. As a result, pressure has steadily mounted on Apple to deliver a more capable and conversational Siri.
That pressure intensified after Apple delayed its flagship Siri AI upgrade last year until 2026, despite promoting the feature in marketing campaigns. At the time, the company acknowledged: “It’s going to take us longer than we thought to deliver on these features and we anticipate rolling them out in the coming year.” Consequently, partnering with Google appears to be a pragmatic move for Apple to accelerate progress.
Google’s AI Comeback Gains Momentum
For Google, the deal represents another vote of confidence in its rapidly advancing AI strategy. The company has rolled out its upgraded Gemini 3 model and, notably, enjoyed its strongest financial performance since 2009. Last week, it surpassed Apple in market capitalization for the first time since 2019 that briefly touched a valuation above $4tn.
Moreover, the partnership builds on an already lucrative relationship, as Google pays billions to Apple each year to remain the default search engine on iPhones. That arrangement had faced uncertainty after regulators ruled that Google held an illegal search monopoly. However, a September court decision avoided forcing a breakup of Google’s Chrome business and allowed deals like this one to continue.
Despite Apple’s existing collaboration with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into Siri for complex queries, the company told CNBC that it’s making no changes to that agreement. What this means for Siri’s long-term AI architecture remains unclear. Nonetheless, the alliance signals that Apple is finally moving decisively into the AI race.
Web Resources on the Apple-Google Partnership
1. Reuters.com: Apple, Google strike Gemini deal for revamped Siri in major win for Alphabet
2. NYTimes.com: Apple Teams Up With Google for A.I. in Its Products
3. FOXBusiness.com: Apple strikes major deal with Google to power Siri with Gemini AI
4. CNBC.com: Apple picks Google’s Gemini to run AI-powered Siri coming this year