Apple and Google will team up: Siri will get smarter with Gemini artificial intelligence
By ForGeeks
Apple is finalizing talks with Google to integrate Gemini’s powerful artificial intelligence model into Siri, in what will be one of the biggest AI partnerships in the tech industry.The deal, worth about $1 billion a year, is aimed at modernizing Siri’s capabilities and strengthening Apple’s position in the fast-moving artificial intelligence race. According to Bloomberg, the first Gemini-powered version of Siri could arrive as early as spring 2026 with the release of iOS 26.4.
Siri currently runs on Apple’s own cloud-based artificial intelligence platform, which contains about 150 billion parameters. Under the new agreement, Siri will use Google’s Gemini model, which has 1.2 trillion parameters, nearly eight times more powerful. The update will allow Siri to better understand complex commands, summarize information, and plan multi-step tasks.
Siri will be able to better understand complex commands, summarize information, and plan multi-step tasks.
In-house, the Siri update is known as “Linwood,” while the larger artificial intelligence project is called “Glenwood.” The project is being spearheaded by Apple executives Craig Federighi and Mike Rockwell, creator of the Vision Pro headset.
Apple executives Craig Federighi and Mike Rockwell, creator of the Vision Pro headset, are leading the project.
Privacy and productivity
Despite using Google’s model, Apple emphasizes strict control over data privacy. Gemini will run on Apple Private Cloud Compute (PCC) servers, ensuring that user data is isolated from Google’s infrastructure. Data will be processed temporarily, with no data stored between sessions, in keeping with Apple’s strategy to protect personal information.
This approach, however, would require an expansion of Apple’s cloud infrastructure, which could increase costs and strain on systems.
Why Apple chose Google
Before the deal, Apple tested several AI models, including OpenAI’s GPT and Anthropic’s Claude, but favored Gemini because of its superior contextual understanding, scalability, and flexibility for integration. While the deal will significantly accelerate Apple’s AI development, it is considered an interim measure until the company finalizes its own million-parameter model.
In markets like China, where Google’s services are banned, Apple plans to rely on internal models and local partners like Alibaba to comply with regulations.
This collaboration marks a shift in Apple’s strategy. From total control and developing all solutions on its own to selective partnerships with industry leaders. While a public announcement of the partnership is not yet planned, as with Safari and Google Search, this initiative shows how Apple is adapting to stay competitive in the field of generative artificial intelligence.
After news of the deal, Apple and Google shares rose, indicating investor optimism. The introduction of Gemini-powered Siri could completely change the perception of voice assistants, combining power, privacy, and intelligence, and dramatically impact the artificial intelligence landscape in the industry.
