At a Glance
- Apple will use Google’s Gemini models and cloud tech for future Apple Foundation Models
- The multi-year, non-exclusive deal could cost Apple around $1 billion
- Apple tested OpenAI and Anthropic before selecting Google
- Why it matters: The partnership aims to boost Siri and Apple Intelligence after years of perceived lag in AI innovation
Apple has formally chosen Google to power key artificial intelligence features, including Siri, after evaluating rival systems from OpenAI and Anthropic.
“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,” the companies said in a joint statement.
Deal Terms and Scope
The agreement spans several years and grants Apple access to Google’s Gemini models and cloud infrastructure. A source familiar with the matter confirmed the arrangement is not exclusive, leaving room for Apple to work with additional providers. While neither company disclosed the price tag, previous reports indicate Apple could pay Google $1 billion for the technology.
Apple’s selection process included internal testing of competing large-language-model platforms. The company spent time assessing offerings from OpenAI and Anthropic before settling on Google’s tech stack.
Apple’s AI Strategy and Public Perception
Apple has historically emphasized vertical integration, designing its own silicon and software to maintain tight control over performance and privacy. That approach has clashed with the resource-intensive requirements of state-of-the-art generative AI, prompting the company to look outward for foundation-model horsepower.
Public criticism has mounted as Apple’s AI efforts, especially Siri, appeared to trail competitors. The iPhone maker released the first versions of Apple Intelligence in 2024, adding on-device capabilities such as photo search and notification summarization. Much of that processing occurs on-device or through tightly controlled infrastructure, a privacy stance Apple says will remain intact under the Google partnership.
Despite internal advances, Apple’s AI presentation has been subtle, sometimes invisible, and occasionally derided as lacking the “wow factor” of ChatGPT or standalone Gemini apps. The Google deal stops short of delivering the sweeping Siri overhaul many users have anticipated.
Siri Upgrade Timeline
Apple has delayed its “more personalized Siri” multiple times. A spokesperson told News Of Philadelphia the upgraded assistant will arrive this year, aligning with earlier reports that pointed to a spring launch. The Google partnership could supply backend horsepower for that release, though Apple has not confirmed technical specifics.
Regulatory Backdrop
The collaboration emerges as Google faces several antitrust lawsuits. In August 2024, a federal judge ruled that Google illegally maintained a search monopoly by paying partners, including Apple, to secure default placement on devices and browsers. Between 2021 and 2022, Google paid Apple roughly $38 billion for those positions.
Judge Amit Mehta finalized remedies in December 2025, barring Google from entering default agreements “unless the agreement terminates no more than one year after the date it is entered.” The new AI arrangement is separate from search defaults, but it continues a long-standing pattern of cooperation between the two Silicon Valley giants.
Market Implications
For Apple, the deal offers a rapid path to close perceived gaps in generative AI without sacrificing its privacy narrative. For Google, the partnership validates Gemini’s commercial strength and opens a revenue stream that could ease regulatory pressure by demonstrating broad utility beyond search.
Because the agreement is non-exclusive, Apple retains flexibility to negotiate with other providers or expand its own in-house models. The company continues to hire AI researchers and acquire startups to bolster internal capabilities even as it leans on Google for immediate scale.
Key Takeaways
- Apple will integrate Google Gemini into Apple Foundation Models under a multi-year, non-exclusive contract
- The deal could be worth $1 billion, though pricing remains unconfirmed
- Apple tested rival systems from OpenAI and Anthropic before selecting Google
- Privacy commitments remain unchanged, with most AI processing staying on-device or within Apple-controlled environments
- An upgraded, more personalized Siri is still slated for release this year
