AI: Apple goes with Google Gemini for AI revamped Siri. RTZ #965

After months of speculation on Apple and Google working together on an AI revamped Siri this year, it’s now official.

The two companies will be incorporating Google Gemini into Siri, Apple Intelligence, as well as other aspects of Apple platforms. It expands the multi-billion dollar distribution deals that the two companies have had for years around Google Search distribution via Apple platforms.

And as I’ve discussed a few days ago, it makes DISTRIBUTION the next big area of focus in this AI Tech Wave this year and beyond.

Apple is on a roll with Apple Services where Google is an important annual contributor. going into 2026. And of course Elon Musk isn’t happy about the Google/Apple relationship expansion.

CNBC lays out the details in “Apple picks Google’s Gemini to run AI-powered Siri coming this year”:

• “Apple is teaming up with Google to use Gemini models for an AI-powered Siri.”

• “Reports swirled in August that Apple was in early talks with the search giant to use a custom Gemini model to power a new iteration of Siri.”

• “Apple has mostly stayed out of the AI frenzy that’s swept Wall Street since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.”

“Apple is joining forces with Google to power its artificial intelligence features, including a major Siri upgrade later this year, the tech giants said on Monday.”

“The multi-year partnership will lean on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology for future Apple foundational models.”

“After careful evaluation, we determined that Google’s technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and we’re excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for our users,” Apple said in a statement.”

As mentioned earlier, this deal in some form has been rumored for a while now:

“In August, Bloomberg had reported that Apple was in early talks with Google to use a custom Gemini model to power a new iteration of Siri.”

“The deal is another major indicator of trust in Google’s accelerating AI agenda. In 2025, Google logged its best year since 2009 and surpassed Apple in market capitalization last week for the first time since 2019.”

“Shares were slightly lower following the news. Google briefly touched above a $4 trillion market value.”

This makes Google the fourth US tech company to cross this threshold in recent months.

“Apple has mostly stood on the sidelines of the AI frenzy that’s swept up Wall Street since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT at the end of 2022.”

“Hyperscalers Amazon, Meta Platforms and Microsoft have shelled out billions on AI products, tools and infrastructure for their customers.”

Apple in my view continues to be under-appreciated in its AI opportunities relative to other Mag 7 US big tech companies.

“That’s amped up the pressure on the iPhone maker to deliver an impressive Siri AI voice upgrade, which it delayed last year until 2026, despite running ads for the product.”

“It’s going to take us longer than we thought to deliver on these features and we anticipate rolling them out in the coming year,” the company said in a statement at the time.”

Apple of course, also has a relationship with OpenAI on the AI front:

“Apple currently partners with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into Siri and Apple Intelligence, specifically for complicated queries that can tap into the AI model’s world knowledge. It’s unclear what the Google partnership means for the ChatGPT integration in the future.”

“The devices giant told CNBC said that they aren’t making any changes to the agreement. OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.”

OpenAI has its own plans for AI Devices later this year and beyond, which would of course compete with similar offerings from Apple, Google and others.

“Meanwhile, Google has made steady progress on its AI agenda, introducing its upgraded Gemini 3 model late last year.”

“In October, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the company’s cloud segment signed more deals worth more than $1 billion through the third quarter of 2025 than the previous two years combined.”

The deal is not restricted just to Siri at Apple, as Macrumors reports here in “Google Gemini Partnership With Apple Will Go Beyond Siri Revamp”:

“Apple and Google today announced that Google Gemini will help power not only a more personalized version of Siri, but a range of future Apple Intelligence features.”

““Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration under which the next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology,” the companies said, in a statement. “These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri coming this year.”

“Apple is “excited about the innovative new experiences” that the partnership will unlock, but the statement did not provide any details about specific features.”

“It is unclear if Gemini will help power any existing Apple Intelligence features, such as Writing Tools, Image Playground, and Notification Summaries.”

“Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers, with Apple promising industry-leading privacy standards.”

“The more personalized version of Siri is expected to be introduced with iOS 26.4 in March or April, following a lengthy delay. The new capabilities will include better understanding of a user’s personal context, on-screen awareness, and deeper per-app controls. For example, Apple showed an iPhone user asking Siri about their mother’s flight and lunch reservation plans based on info from the Mail and Messages apps.”

A Spring distribution of the Gemini powered Siri would provide ample distribution of the Apple version of Gemini AI for the rest of the year. And ahead of Apple’s typical fall launch of new iPhones and devices.

Now Google and Apple, both together and separately, are the two companies to watch in the distribution of mainstream AI applications and services to billions worldwide.

Alongside of course OpenAI, Amazon, Meta, Elon’s xAI/Grok and others around the world. Not to mention of course a revamped US TikTok soon from Bytedance in China.

Sets down some new rail tracks this AI Tech Wave to take AI in new mainstream user directions. Stay tuned.

(NOTE: The discussions here are for information purposes only, and not meant as investment advice at any time. Thanks for joining us here)