Apple plans AI-powered Siri backed by Google’s Gemini models

Ars Technica
Ars Technica
32m ago
Apple announced that a more intelligent Siri planned for release later this year will be backed by Google’s Gemini language models under a multi-year partnership.
Apple plans AI-powered Siri backed by Google’s Gemini models
A What happened
Apple announced that a more intelligent Siri planned for release later this year will be backed by Google’s Gemini language models. CNBC reported the arrangement as a multi-year partnership that allows Apple to use Google’s AI models in its own software. Apple originally promised the improved AI-powered Siri for iOS 18 in 2024, then delayed it because it did not work reliably enough. The new Siri version should arrive in an update to iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 Tahoe later this year.
★

Key insights

  • 1

    Apple cited evaluation as the basis for choosing Gemini: Apple said it chose Google’s technology after careful evaluation and said it provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models.

  • 2

    Apple delayed the AI-powered Siri due to reliability issues: Apple delayed the improved AI-powered Siri that was originally promised for iOS 18 in 2024 because it did not work reliably enough.

  • 3

    OpenAI leadership treated Gemini 3 as a competitive threat: Sam Altman declared a “code red” last month and pushed back planned ChatGPT features so the company could better respond to Google’s Gemini 3 release.

Takeaways

Apple plans to ship an updated Siri later this year using Google’s Gemini models in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 Tahoe.

Topics

Technology & Innovation Artificial Intelligence Big Tech

Stay ahead with OwlBrief

Daily briefs that distill the world’s important events — clear, verified, and designed for understanding.

Create Free Account Sign In

Newsletter

Get OwlBrief in your inbox

A fast, high-signal digest of the day’s most important events — plus the context that makes them make sense.

Quick to read. Useful all day.