It’s official: Apple and Google have decided to work hand in hand on artificial intelligence. As part of a multi-year partnership, the next “Apple Foundation Models” will be based on Gemini models and Google’s cloud infrastructure. The ideal fuel, according to the Apple firm, to propel its future Apple Intelligence functions.
Apple calls Google to the rescue
In their joint statement, the two groups explain having carried out a “ in-depth assessment » before choosing Google technology, judged “ the most capable » to serve as a basis for Apple’s ambitions. The press release promises “ innovative experiences » for users, without going into detail. A house specialty.
Behind the scenes, this rapprochement is not really a surprise. As early as last summer, discussions had filtered around the use of a tailor-made Gemini model for Siri, with, at stake, an annual check for a billion dollars. Apple is careful not to confirm any amount, and Google politely refers to the joint statement.
Above all, this partnership marks a turning point for Apple. Since the explosion of generative AI at the end of 2022, the group sometimes gave the impression of procrastinating while Microsoft, Amazon or Meta invested lavishly. The agreement with Google therefore looks like a way to accelerate, while the models developed internally by Apple are less efficient and, above all, incapable of giving Siri the brains that it lacks so much.
The first realization of this alliance should arrive quickly: a more personalized version of Siri, expected with iOS 26.4 in the spring. This development had already been announced (in 2024!), then postponed indefinitely. Apple then recognized that all this took “ more time than expected ».
On paper, the promise is attractive. Siri should better understand the user’s personal context, know what is happening on the iPhone screen and interact more finely with applications. Apple has already given some telling examples: asking Siri for information on a loved one’s flight or an upcoming lunch, based on existing emails and messages.
Despite Google’s contribution, Apple wants to hammer home its usual credo. Apple Intelligence functions will continue to run on the devices themselves and on its own Private Cloud Compute servers, with confidentiality guarantees presented as “ among the best in the sector “. In other words, Gemini provides the intelligence, but Apple keeps control of the execution and data. It seems like the best of both worlds, ultimately.
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