Apple is exploring the possibility of using Google’s Gemini AI model to power a redesigned version of Siri, marking a major shift in the company’s artificial intelligence strategy. The move signals Apple’s growing openness to external partnerships in order to strengthen its competitive position in AI.
According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple has held early discussions with Google to build a custom Gemini model that would serve as the foundation of a new version of Siri expected in 2026. The model would run on Apple’s servers, allowing the company to maintain its focus on privacy while leveraging Google’s advanced multimodal capabilities. This is not Apple’s first exploration of outside AI help, as it also engaged in talks earlier this year with Anthropic and OpenAI.
Apple has also been actively eyeing potential acquisitions to improve Siri. Reports have noted that the company has considered buying smaller AI startups to accelerate its generative AI capabilities and fill gaps in its in-house technology. This acquisition strategy, combined with partnerships, highlights how Apple is adopting a multi-track approach to close the AI gap with competitors. Earlier this year, Apple was also reported to be working toward a deal to integrate Google Gemini into iPhones before the launch of iOS 26, but no agreement was finalized at the time.
Apple and Google already maintain one of the most lucrative partnerships in tech, with Google paying Apple around $20 billion annually to remain the default search engine in Safari. This longstanding business tie could make it easier for the two companies to expand their collaboration into artificial intelligence with Gemini.
The motivation behind these talks is Apple’s ongoing struggle to catch up in generative AI. While Siri was once seen as a pioneering voice assistant, it has since fallen behind rivals such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa in terms of performance and usefulness. Apple’s in-house generative AI efforts have faced delays, leaving the company with limited visible progress while competitors rapidly push forward. By potentially partnering with Google, Apple could accelerate Siri’s evolution and close the feature gap with its rivals.
A revamped Siri powered by Gemini would likely deliver a far more conversational and context-aware experience across iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. It could also expand into multimodal use cases, handling not just voice input but also text, images, and video. Running Gemini on Apple-controlled infrastructure would help preserve Apple’s privacy-first reputation, a key differentiator in its ecosystem.
The financial markets have responded positively to the news of the potential collaboration. Following Bloomberg’s report, Alphabet’s stock rose nearly 4%, while Apple shares gained about 1.5%, reflecting investor optimism about the partnership’s potential benefits. Analysts suggest that teaming up with Google could give Apple the boost it needs to remain competitive in the fast-moving AI market, where failing to innovate quickly can result in significant setbacks.
For now, no final decision has been made, and Apple is expected to continue evaluating multiple AI providers in what industry observers describe as a “bake-off” between Google, Anthropic, OpenAI, and Apple’s own internal models. The outcome of these tests will likely determine the direction of Siri’s biggest upgrade in over a decade. If Apple chooses Google Gemini, it would not only reshape Siri but also mark one of the company’s boldest steps toward collaboration in its modern history.
