Apple has confirmed that Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence will power its next generation of AI features, including Siri, marking one of the most significant strategic changes in the company’s recent history. The announcement, made jointly by Apple and Google, outlines a multi year partnership that brings Google’s advanced AI models directly into Apple’s ecosystem.
For a company known for building its most critical technologies internally, this decision represents a clear departure from tradition. Apple said it selected Google’s AI after a “careful evaluation” process concluded that Gemini offered “the most capable foundation” for its long term artificial intelligence goals. This move signals urgency from Apple as it works to regain momentum in an AI race that has rapidly intensified across the tech industry.
The partnership stands out because Apple and Google have long been rivals in the smartphone market. Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android dominate global mobile operating systems, often positioning the companies as direct competitors. Yet, this collaboration builds on an already profitable relationship. Google reportedly pays Apple billions of dollars each year to remain the default search engine on Apple devices, a deal that continues to attract regulatory attention.
That search agreement is currently under scrutiny by the US Department of Justice, which argues it reinforces Google’s dominance in search. While a judge has allowed the arrangement to continue for now, the broader regulatory pressure adds complexity to the new AI partnership.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk was quick to criticize the deal, calling it “an unreasonable concentration of power for Google, given that they also have Android and Chrome.” Musk, who runs his own AI company xAI, framed the agreement as anti competitive, echoing concerns already present in regulatory circles.
Why did Apple choose Google Gemini over other AI partners?
Before settling on Google, Apple reportedly explored partnerships with several major AI players, including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity. The final decision appears to be driven by Gemini’s scale, maturity, and ability to integrate across Apple’s massive user base.
Industry analysts see the move as mutually beneficial. Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities described the partnership as “a major validation moment for Google” and said it gives Apple “a stepping stone” to stabilize its AI strategy heading into 2026 and beyond. For Google, the deal reinforces its position as a leading AI infrastructure provider at a time when competition from Microsoft and OpenAI is intensifying.
The market responded positively. Although financial terms were not disclosed, news of the agreement pushed Alphabet’s market value past the $4 trillion mark for the first time, underscoring investor confidence in Google’s AI leadership.
What does this mean for Apple’s AI future and user privacy?
Apple’s push toward external AI support comes after a period of internal setbacks. The company has been widely viewed as lagging behind rivals in rolling out consumer facing AI features. In December, Apple confirmed that the head of its AI team stepped down. It also delayed the launch of a revamped Siri last year, now promising its release later this year.
Despite relying on Google’s models, Apple emphasized that its own system, Apple Intelligence, will continue to handle on device processing for iPhones and iPads. According to Apple, this approach preserves what it calls “industry-leading privacy standards,” a core selling point for its products.
As Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and others accelerate innovation, Apple’s partnership with Google reflects a pragmatic shift. Rather than building everything alone, Apple is choosing speed, capability, and scale to stay competitive in a fast moving AI landscape, while still maintaining control over the user experience and privacy at the device level.
By Yockshard Enyendi