Apple taps Google to power AI features like Siri

Apple has officially chosen to work with Google to power artificial intelligence features like Siri, its voice assistant. The multi-year partnership will involve Apple using Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology for future foundational models. This decision marks a strategic shift for Apple, which has historically focused on vertical integration by relying on its own hardware and software rather than external technology. In a joint statement, Apple and Google 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.”

According to a source familiar with the matter, the deal is not exclusive. The agreement comes after Apple spent time testing the technology of competitors, including OpenAI and Anthropic, before ultimately selecting Google. While neither company has confirmed the financial terms of the partnership, previous reports indicate that Apple could be paying Google around $1 billion for access to its AI technology. The integration follows Apple’s release of the first versions of Apple Intelligence—Apple’s suite of AI features—in 2024. Those initial features added AI capabilities to existing operating system functions, such as searching for photos and summarizing notifications. Historically, Apple has focused on privacy with its AI rollout, with much of the processing happening on-device or through tightly controlled infrastructure, and the company says it will maintain those privacy standards throughout its partnership with Google.

The partnership arrives as Google, the search and adtech giant, navigates intense regulatory pressure. In August 2024, a federal judge ruled that Google acted illegally to maintain a monopoly in online search. That antitrust case previously revealed that Google paid Apple $38 billion between 2021 and 2022 to secure default search placements on Apple devices and web browsers. In December 2025, Judge Amit Mehta, the federal judge overseeing the Google antitrust case, issued his final remedies. These remedies include banning Google from entering into exclusive, default agreements like its previous search deal with Apple, unless the agreement terminates no more than one year after the date it is entered.

Why it matters

Apple’s decision to integrate external AI models marks a strategic shift for the company, forcing it to balance its need for competitive technology with the ongoing antitrust scrutiny surrounding its relationship with Google.