Apple turns to Google AI for new Siri upgrade

Apple is reportedly teaming up with Google to power the next version of its voice assistant, Siri. According to a Bloomberg report, the iPhone maker plans to use Google’s 1.2 trillion-parameter Gemini AI model to enhance Siri’s intelligence and response accuracy.

The deal, valued at around $1 billion per year, will help Apple bridge the gap while it works on developing its own in-house AI systems.

A major shift in Apple’s AI strategy

For years, Siri has lagged behind rivals like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant in handling complex, multi-step commands. With this new partnership, Apple aims to close that gap by using Google’s advanced model as a temporary boost.

Bloomberg noted that Apple decided to integrate Gemini after an internal evaluation of multiple AI models. The move shows a strategic shift for Apple, which has traditionally avoided depending on competitors for core technologies.

Siri’s new AI brain: Gemini

Google’s Gemini model, known for its massive scale and contextual understanding, will act as the backbone for Siri’s upcoming update. With 1.2 trillion parameters, it far surpasses Apple’s current AI systems in complexity and performance.

However, the report clarified that the partnership does not include integrating Google’s AI search into Apple’s operating systems. Instead, the collaboration focuses solely on improving Siri’s conversational capabilities and responsiveness.

Apple’s AI delays and leadership changes

The company had previously announced that its major AI enhancements for Siri would arrive in 2026, without explaining the delay. In March, Bloomberg reported internal leadership changes after slow progress in AI development. Mike Rockwell, a key figure in Apple’s Vision Pro team, was brought in to accelerate work on Siri after CEO Tim Cook lost confidence in AI chief John Giannandrea’s roadmap.

The broader AI race among tech giants

The timing is significant. Rivals like Google and Amazon have already upgraded their assistants with AI-driven features. Google added Gemini to its own assistant last year, while Amazon launched an AI-powered Alexa earlier this year.

Apple’s collaboration with Google could help it catch up quickly and ensure Siri remains competitive as AI becomes a defining feature of digital ecosystems.

What comes next

While Apple’s long-term goal remains building its own AI foundation, the Gemini-powered Siri update could arrive sooner than expected. For now, the deal underscores how even the most closed tech ecosystems are opening up to partnerships in the new AI era.