Apple and Google have announced to enter into a long-term partnership to develop the next generation of Apple’s Foundation Models. These new models will leverage Google’s powerful Gemini technology and cloud infrastructure. This represents a significant expansion of Apple’s commitment to artificial intelligence and will, among other things, contribute to a smarter, more personalized version of Siri, expected to be available later this year.
According to Apple, this collaboration is the result of a careful analysis of the current AI market. The company has concluded that Google’s Gemini provides the most advanced and flexible foundation for Apple’s future AI ambitions. Apple emphasizes that despite this partnership, Apple Intelligence will continue to function on local devices and via Private Cloud Compute, maintaining its established focus on privacy and data security.
Google Gemini comes to Siri
According to Google and Apple, the updated Siri is powered by the next generation of Apple Foundation Models, which are based on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology. Apple is aiming for a Siri that better understands what you mean and responds more accurately to your daily routines and personal data.
In iOS 26.4, scheduled for March or April, Siri will get new capabilities such as a better understanding of personal context, on-screen awareness and deeper per-app control. For example, during a demo, Apple showed how a user can ask Siri about his mother’s flight and associated lunch appointment, purely based on information from Mail and Messages.
More than just Siri
Apple and Google have confirmed that the new Gemini partnership will not only deliver a smarter Siri, but will play a broader role within Apple Intelligence on iOS 26. This move should lead to noticeably more personal, context-aware features on iPhone, without sacrificing Apple’s well-known focus on privacy.
Role of Gemini within Apple Intelligence
The multi-year partnership will see the next generation of Apple Foundation Models built on top of Google’s Gemini models and cloud. These models will power a range of future Apple Intelligence features, with Siri being just the first visible component.
It is still unclear whether Gemini will also play a role in current features such as Writing Assistant, Image Playground and Post Summaries. Apple does speak of ‘new, innovative experiences’ for users, but does not yet mention any concrete additional features beyond Siri.
Privacy, Device Processing and Private Cloud Compute
Apple emphasizes that Apple Intelligence will continue to run on devices themselves and on Apple’s own Private Cloud Compute servers. The company is therefore sticking to its privacy promise, even now that it is collaborating with Google at infrastructure level.
According to the statement, Apple continues to adhere to “industry-leading privacy standards,” which means that sensitive data is processed locally as much as possible and that cloud processing via PCC is covered by Apple’s proprietary security architecture. For users of iOS, iPadOS and macOS, the Gemini integration should therefore mainly be noticeable in smarter functions, not in concessions in the field of data security.