Apple is on the verge of a major step in its AI strategy. The company is currently negotiating a multi-billion dollar deal with Google that could redefine the future of Siri. This involves not only technology, but also control, data privacy, and Apple's longer-term goals in the AI market.
Apple has long tried to develop its own AI models that could compete with the competition. But with the rapid development of generative AI, even Apple is feeling the pressure. The solution: a partnership with Google. Specifically, this involves the use of a specially adapted Gemini model, which is intended to power the revamped Siri next year. Bloomberg reports on new details regarding the scope, technology, and background of the collaboration.
Google provides a model with 1.2 trillion parameters
The plan is to use an AI model with 1.2 trillion parameters, provided by Google specifically for Apple. For comparison, Apple's largest cloud-based model to date has 150 billion parameters, while its locally running model has just 3 billion. The new solution therefore represents a massive technological leap. The model is intended to better process complex tasks, summarize information, and efficiently plan tasks – key functions for the further development of Siri.
The deal costs Apple around $1 billion per year.
According to Bloomberg , Apple is close to paying around $1 billion per year for access to Google's technology. This sum resulted from intensive negotiations in which, according to insiders, price was the decisive factor rather than the quality of the technology. Google prevailed over other providers such as Anthropic.
Not all Siri features are based on Gemini.
According to reports, Gemini will only take over certain tasks within Siri – specifically, the functions for summarizing information and task planning. Other areas of the voice assistant will continue to rely on Apple's own models. The new system will therefore be a hybrid solution, with several AI components working in parallel.
Gemini runs on Apple's own infrastructure.
A key aspect of the deal: The Gemini model will not be operated directly on Google's infrastructure. Instead, it will run on Apple's own servers within its "Private Cloud Compute" environment. This means that no user data will be shared with Google. Apple thus retains full control over data privacy and infrastructure – a central tenet of its corporate philosophy.
Project Glenwood: The conversion of Siri
Internally, the AI project is codenamed "Glenwood." It is led by Mike Rockwell, who, following a restructuring at Apple, has now taken over responsibility for modernizing Siri. Rockwell was previously responsible for Apple's mixed reality initiatives and brings experience in building new technologies.
Apple's own AI development continues in parallel.
Despite its planned collaboration with Google, Apple is not abandoning the development of its own AI models. The company is working in parallel on its own cloud-based model with approximately one trillion parameters, intended for future consumer applications. The goal is to become more independent in the long term and eventually replace Gemini with an internal solution. However, development is under pressure, as Apple recently lost several key AI talents – including the head of the modeling team.
Earlier plans for Gemini were different.
As early as 2024, according to Bloomberg, Apple was close to using Gemini for other purposes – at the time, the idea was to use the model as a knowledge source for Siri, similar to the existing collaboration with OpenAI. However, these plans were not implemented. The current deal goes significantly further, as Gemini is now slated to actively take over core Siri functions.
Apple is relying on Google – but not without a Plan B.
The planned partnership between Apple and Google marks a strategic shift. Apple is relying on external technology to fundamentally improve its Siri voice assistant – while remaining mindful of data privacy and simultaneously planning to continue developing its own solutions. With this new model, Siri's capabilities will reach a completely new level. Whether Apple will succeed in becoming technologically independent in the medium term will become clear in the coming years. (Image: Apple)
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