Apple is preparing one of the most significant shifts in its artificial intelligence strategy in years, moving toward a partnership with Google to power the next version of Siri using Google's Gemini large-scale model, according to Bloomberg. The agreement, which is in final negotiation stages, would have Apple pay roughly $1 billion annually to license Google's technology as it works to rebuild Siri and accelerate its generative AI capabilities.
The collaboration centers around a custom version of Google's 1.2 trillion-parameter Gemini model. Bloomberg reported, "Apple Inc. is planning to use a 1.2 trillion parameter artificial intelligence model developed by Alphabet Inc.'s Google to help power its long-promised overhaul of the Siri voice assistant, according to people with knowledge of the matter." Apple's internal cloud model currently stands at 150 billion parameters, while the company's on-device model has 3 billion.
Reporter Mark Gurman wrote that "Following an extensive evaluation period, the two companies are now finalizing an agreement that would see Apple pay roughly $1 billion annually for access to Google's technology." The revamped Siri is reportedly scheduled to debut next spring.
The integration is part of a project known internally as Glenwood, led by Apple executive Mike Rockwell, who recently took over the Siri overhaul. Under the current plan, Gemini will not replace Siri entirely. Bloomberg reported: "Under the arrangement, Google's Gemini model will handle Siri's summarizer and planner functions - the components that help the voice assistant synthesize information and decide how to execute complex tasks. Some Siri features will continue to use Apple's in-house models."
The model will run on Apple's Private Cloud Compute infrastructure, meaning user data will not be shared with Google, an approach consistent with Apple's privacy commitments.
The deal follows earlier discussions in 2024 in which Google explored providing general knowledge responses to Siri, though those talks did not result in product integration. This time, however, the agreement is broader and tied directly to Siri's core logic.
