In a strategic and potentially game-changing move, Apple and Google have officially announced a multiyear partnership to integrate Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence into Siri, Apple’s digital assistant.

The joint statement, released on January 12, confirmed that after extensive internal evaluation, Apple concluded that Google’s Gemini AI technology offers the strongest foundation to support its in-house Apple Foundation Models. This collaboration marks a significant step in Apple’s long-awaited expansion into generative AI, and a rare public partnership between two of Silicon Valley’s fiercest rivals.

Under the agreement, Apple will adopt Gemini and Google Cloud services to power new AI features, with Gemini set to become the “brain” behind the next-generation Siri.

The deal is expected to accelerate the rollout of Apple’s AI-powered Siri, a project that has seen repeated delays since it was first teased at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2024. The slow progress had sparked concerns that Apple was falling behind in the competitive AI race dominated by rivals like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google.

The move also suggests Apple continues to face challenges in building a large-scale, competitive foundation model on its own. By turning to Google, Apple gains access to a battle-tested model while buying time to further develop its internal capabilities.

Wall Street responded positively to the announcement. Analysts see the deal as a pragmatic and forward-looking move that could breathe new life into Apple’s device sales, particularly after several years of uneven iPhone performance. The partnership underscores Apple’s growing reliance on advanced AI experiences to drive future growth.

For Google, the win is equally significant. Securing Apple as a client in the AI foundation model space is a major validation of Gemini’s capabilities and a strategic triumph in the increasingly crowded generative AI market.

Following the news, shares of both Apple and Google posted modest gains. Notably, Google’s market capitalization surged past the $4 trillion mark for the first time - making it the fourth U.S. company to reach that milestone, after Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple itself.

This is not Apple’s first AI partnership. The company had previously announced an arrangement with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into select features. However, the new deal positions Gemini at the center of Apple’s long-term AI strategy, raising questions about the future role of ChatGPT on iPhone devices.

Technology analyst Dan Ives of Wedbush called the agreement “a long-anticipated move to clarify Apple’s AI playbook,” noting that the deal is a win-win for both companies as they seek to deepen their AI offerings and maintain relevance in a fast-changing tech landscape.

Financial details of the arrangement have not been disclosed. However, a Bloomberg report from late 2025 indicated that Apple was preparing to pay Google approximately $1 billion annually for access to Gemini in Siri.

Privacy remains a top concern for users, and Apple reaffirmed that the integration of Gemini would adhere to its strict privacy standards. According to the company, features under its Apple Intelligence branding will continue to run either directly on-device or within a secure, encrypted cloud infrastructure to protect personal data.

The collaboration signals a new era for Siri, potentially transforming it from a lagging voice assistant into a powerful, AI-driven interface - backed by one of the most advanced language models available today.

Du Lam