Apple and Google Collaborate to Boost Siri’s AI Capabilities with Gemini
In a surprising revelation on January 12, 2026, Apple and Google announced a multi-year partnership. This collaboration will leverage Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence models to enhance the next generation of Apple Intelligence features. A significant revamp of Siri is also expected later this year as part of this initiative.
“After a thorough evaluation, we concluded that Google’s technology offers the most robust foundation for Apple Foundation Models,” stated Apple in a joint announcement with Google. This agreement marks a significant victory for Google in the competitive AI landscape. It also raises questions about Apple’s in-house AI development capabilities, as the tech giant continues to depend on external partners for advanced AI features.
The partnership comes at a time when Apple is under increasing pressure to deliver more sophisticated AI features. This is due to the delays in rolling out its promised Siri upgrades throughout 2025. Apple has an existing partnership with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into certain Siri functions. The company confirmed that this relationship will be maintained alongside the new Google deal, which is not exclusive. Bloomberg previously reported that Apple plans to pay approximately $1 billion annually to utilize Google’s AI technology.
This collaboration further strengthens the long-standing relationship between the two tech giants. Google already pays Apple billions each year to remain the default search engine on iPhones. Google’s stock saw a significant surge following the announcement, pushing its market capitalization above $4 trillion. Industry analysts view 2026 as a pivotal year for Apple’s AI strategy as competitors continue to enhance their own AI assistants and features.
Source: CNBC