Apple picks Google’s Gemini AI for its big Siri upgrade

Apple will use Google’s Gemini AI model to power a more personalized Siri coming this year. “After careful evaluation, Apple determined that Google’s Al technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and is excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for Apple users,” Google and Apple announced on Monday.

CNBC first reported on the multi-year partnership, which will allow Apple to use Google Gemini and the company’s cloud technology for its future models. “These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri coming this year,” Apple and Google say, adding that Apple Intelligence will still run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute.

Apple has spent the past year working on an AI-upgraded version of Siri that’s supposed to perform actions on your behalf, as well as understand your personal context. The company delayed the update last March after admitting that it’s taking “longer than we thought.”

As part of these efforts, Bloomberg reported that Apple considered using a custom version of Gemini for AI-powered features in Siri, including a “World Knowledge Answers” capability that allows users to search for information and receive AI-generated summaries using results from the web. Google launched its Gemini 3 AI model in November, which topped AI leaderboards.

Apple reshuffled its AI team as well, replacing AI chief John Giannandrea with Vision Pro head Mike Rockwell, according to Bloomberg. Giannandrea stepped down from Apple last month. In addition to its partnership with OpenAI, Apple also reportedly explored working with Anthropic and Perplexity as well, with CEO Tim Cook saying that the company plans to launch integrations with more AI companies over time.

Update, January 12th: Added the joint statement from Apple and Google.