TLDR: Apple is reportedly in early discussions with Google to integrate its Gemini AI model into a redesigned version of the Siri voice assistant, according to Bloomberg News. This move comes as Apple faces delays in its internal generative AI development and seeks to enhance Siri’s capabilities, which have historically lagged behind competitors. The company is evaluating both in-house and external AI solutions for Siri’s anticipated overhaul next year.
Cupertino, California – Apple is reportedly engaged in preliminary talks with Google to potentially power a significantly revamped version of its Siri voice assistant with Google’s advanced Gemini artificial intelligence. The discussions, first reported by Bloomberg News, cite individuals familiar with the confidential matter, indicating a strategic shift for Apple as it navigates the rapidly evolving generative AI landscape.
The iPhone maker has reportedly approached Alphabet Inc.’s Google to explore the development of a custom AI model. This model would serve as the foundational intelligence for a redesigned Siri, anticipated to launch next year. Sources suggest that Google has already commenced training a specialized AI model designed to operate on Apple’s servers, potentially leveraging Apple’s Private Cloud Compute platform, which underpins its ‘Apple Intelligence’ initiatives.
This potential partnership highlights Apple’s ongoing efforts to catch up in the generative AI field, where it has been perceived to lag behind rivals like Google and Samsung. The company has faced engineering setbacks and delays in a long-promised Siri overhaul, initially slated for this past spring but pushed back by a year. This upgrade aims to enable Siri to execute complex tasks using personal context and facilitate full voice-based device control.
Internally, Apple is conducting a ‘bake-off’ to determine the best approach for the new Siri. Two distinct versions are reportedly under development: one codenamed ‘Linwood,’ powered by Apple’s proprietary models, and another, ‘Glenwood,’ which relies on external technology. While Google’s Gemini is a strong contender, Apple had previously explored potential collaborations with other leading AI firms, including Anthropic (for its Claude model) and OpenAI (for ChatGPT).
The news of these talks had a positive impact on the stock market, with Alphabet’s shares rising by 3.7 percent and Apple’s stock increasing by 1.6 percent in afternoon trading following the report. Siri has historically been criticized for being less capable than competitors such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant in handling multi-step requests and integrating seamlessly with third-party applications.
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Apple CEO Tim Cook had previously stated that the company was making ‘good progress’ on a more personalized, AI-driven Siri, with an AI upgrade expected sometime in 2026. The current discussions underscore Apple’s commitment to enhancing its digital assistant, even if it means integrating external AI capabilities to accelerate its generative AI ambitions.
