Previous reports had already indicated that Apple was discussing a Gemini partnership with Google to improve Siri’s AI capabilities. Now it’s official. Apple has confirmed that Google’s Gemini will power the next-generation version of Siri, marking one of the biggest changes to Apple’s voice assistant since its launch.
Apple confirmed the partnership in a statement shared with CNBC, saying it chose Google after weighing multiple options. “After careful evaluation, we determined that Google’s technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and we’re excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for our users,” the company said.
Why Apple turned to Google for Siri’s AI upgrade
This move has been building for a while. Apple first teased a more personalized, AI-driven Siri at WWDC 2024, promising a better understanding of personal context, on-screen awareness, and deeper control across apps.
But those upgrades were delayed last year, with Apple admitting the features were taking longer than expected. Meanwhile, assistants like Gemini and ChatGPT surged ahead, setting new expectations for what conversational AI should be able to do.
By bringing Gemini into the mix, Apple gains access to a more powerful language model and Google’s massive, constantly updated knowledge base. That matters for tasks Siri has historically struggled with, like answering complex questions, understanding follow-ups, and pulling together information from across the web.
According to CNBC, the partnership will lean on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology to support future Apple Foundation Models, not just Siri. The next-generation Siri is expected to arrive later this year with iOS 26.4, likely in March or April.
However, this does not replace Apple’s existing ChatGPT integration, which is still used for certain complex queries, though Apple hasn’t said how the two systems will coexist long term.
Google Gemini will help power not only a more personalized version of Siri but a broader range of upcoming Apple Intelligence features. Nevertheless, leaning on Gemini could give Siri the reboot it badly needs, even if it means relying on a longtime rival.
