Apple is currently in early discussions with Google to explore using Google’s Gemini AI to power a revamped version of its Siri voice assistant, according to a Bloomberg report. The talks are part of Apple’s broader effort to catch up in generative AI, where it arrived relatively late and has faced challenges gaining traction.
The iPhone maker has approached Google to create a custom AI model tailored to Siri, with Google reportedly training a model that could run on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers. Apple is also exploring partnerships with other AI leaders like Anthropic and OpenAI, weighing options including the use of Claude or ChatGPT as possible brains for Siri.
Apple has not yet decided whether it will continue to use its own internal AI models or partner with an external company like Google. Internally, Apple is developing two versions of the new Siri: one powered by its own models (code-named Linwood) and another running on outside technology (code-named Glenwood).
These developments come after delays to a long-promised Siri upgrade, originally scheduled for spring 2025 but postponed due to engineering setbacks. The project has since changed hands within Apple’s leadership, now overseen by software chief Craig Federighi and Vision Pro creator Mike Rockwell.
Apple’s approach remains focused on privacy and security, with any external AI models running on Apple’s own secure servers rather than on user devices. CEO Tim Cook has emphasized the need to win in AI and is increasing investments in this area, while Apple continues to test its own large, trillion-parameter AI models—though these are still behind the scale of top competitors like OpenAI.
This move signals a significant shift in Apple’s AI strategy, acknowledging the competitive pressure to enhance Siri’s intelligence and responsiveness by potentially leveraging Google’s advanced Gemini AI. The partnership is still exploratory with no official deal announced, but it reflects Apple’s openness to collaboration to accelerate innovation in its voice assistant technology.