Apple and Google announced a historic multi-year partnership on January 12, 2026, establishing Google's Gemini 3 architecture as the primary foundation for the next generation of Apple Intelligence and a complete overhaul of Siri. The landmark agreement marks a significant strategic pivot for Apple, which has faced criticism for lagging behind competitors in artificial intelligence capabilities.
The two technology giants confirmed that Apple's next-generation Foundation Models will be built on Google's Gemini models and cloud computing technology. According to a joint statement, Apple determined that Google's technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models after careful evaluation. The deal is reportedly valued between one billion and five billion dollars annually.
The partnership will enable a more personalized version of Siri expected to debut with iOS 26.4 in March or April 2026. New capabilities will include better understanding of user personal context, on-screen awareness, and deeper per-app controls. Users will be able to ask Siri questions about flight times and lunch reservations by integrating data from apps like Mail and Messages.
Apple emphasized that Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute servers, maintaining industry-leading privacy standards. While Apple has also partnered with OpenAI to use ChatGPT for some AI features, the Google partnership places Gemini at the center of Apple's future AI strategy. Industry analysts noted this non-exclusive arrangement signals that Google has not only caught up with OpenAI but has edged past it in having the best AI models available.
The announcement comes as Google logged its best year since 2009 and surpassed Apple in market capitalization for the first time since 2019. For Apple, the partnership represents an acknowledgment that building competitive AI models internally has proven more challenging than anticipated, following a lengthy delay in delivering promised Siri improvements. Technology experts expect the collaboration to significantly enhance Apple's competitive position in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.