Apple is reportedly paying Google around $1 billion a year to power the new version of Siri with a custom Gemini AI model, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The surprising partnership highlights Apple’s late arrival to the AI race — and its quiet effort to hide the fact that Google’s technology is behind Siri’s big upgrade.
Apple’s Secret Deal with Google
Inside Apple, the Google-powered model is being referred to as AFM v10 (Apple Foundation Model version 10) — a name that deliberately avoids mentioning Google or Gemini. This internal branding allows Apple to save face and present Siri’s overhaul as an in-house achievement, even though it’s being fueled by technology from its biggest competitor.
Why Apple Turned to Google
Apple’s own AI division has reportedly struggled to deliver large-scale models capable of competing with Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic. By adopting Gemini, Apple is tapping into a model estimated to have 1.2 trillion parameters, vastly more advanced than anything Apple has built internally so far.
This move mirrors Apple’s pragmatic decisions in the past — such as relying on Qualcomm modems despite long-running disputes — to ensure users get the best experience possible.
What It Means for Users
The revamped Siri, expected to launch in spring 2026, will feature far more natural conversations, context retention, and richer app integrations — all powered quietly by Google’s AI. While Apple plans to market it as a major in-house breakthrough, the underlying intelligence will come from Google’s Gemini technology.
For users, this partnership means Siri will finally feel more capable and modern. But for Apple, it’s a rare moment of compromise — admitting, silently, that even the world’s most valuable tech company sometimes needs help from a rival.