Apple and Google join hands to fix Siri; Gemini to get integrated in Apple products

In a remarkable strategic move, Apple has announced a long-term collaboration with Google to incorporate Gemini artificial intelligence models into its product ecosystem. This partnership, confirmed on January 12, 2026, signifies a pivotal evolution in Apple’s approach to AI technology, positioning Google’s generative AI as the backbone for the upcoming iterations of Siri and various Apple Intelligence functionalities. The collaboration, described by both companies as the result of a thorough assessment, underscores Apple’s recognition of Google’s technology as the most promising foundation for their future advancements. This agreement will leverage Google’s robust cloud infrastructure to develop the next generation of Apple Foundation Models based on Gemini. This initiative aims to enhance Apple’s AI capabilities significantly, especially after the company encountered challenges in rolling out its proprietary AI models. For Alphabet, Google’s parent company, this deal marks a significant victory in expanding its reach. Gemini, which currently powers Google’s search capabilities and Pixel devices, will now be embedded within Apple’s vast ecosystem of over two billion active devices. Following the announcement, Alphabet’s market capitalization briefly surpassed $4 trillion, reflecting heightened investor confidence in its competitive stance in the AI sector against rivals like OpenAI. Despite this deep integration with Google’s technology, Apple has reassured users that its commitment to privacy remains intact. The Apple Intelligence system will predominantly operate on-device and utilize Private Cloud Compute to ensure user data security. Previously, Apple had integrated OpenAI’s ChatGPT for specific complex queries in late 2024. However, analysts predict that Gemini will now become the primary AI layer, relegating OpenAI to a supportive role. Notably, Gemini is already powering 'Galaxy AI' utilized by Samsung in its smartphones, which could mean that Google’s Gemini may soon become the default AI model for two of the leading smartphone manufacturers globally. The partnership has not been without its critics. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has voiced concerns, labeling the collaboration as an "unreasonable concentration of power" in light of Google’s existing dominance with Android and Chrome. Nonetheless, this deal further solidifies the longstanding financial ties between the two companies, as Google pays Apple billions each year to maintain its status as the default search engine on iPhones and iPads. The first features powered by Gemini for Siri are expected to debut later this year.