Apple is reportedly considering using Google's AI assistant, Gemini to power the revamped Siri, according to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. It's one potential step in ending the Apple vs Google war as they turn their attention to facing OpenAI.
Gurman claims Apple is in talks with Google to create a custom AI model that "would serve as the foundation for a new Siri" in 2026. Allegedly, Google has already started developing a model that can run on Apple's servers.
The talks are exploratory, so nothing formal has been decided yet, and it appears this negotiation is separate from other deals Apple already has in place with Google, including one that is supposed to bring the existing Gemini assistant to iPhones before the end of this year.
The iPhone maker recently approached Alphabet Inc.’s Google to explore building a custom AI model that would serve as the foundation of the new Siri next year.
Mark Gurman
At the same time, Apple is still building its own internal Siri models with two currently in the running. "One dubbed Linwood that is powered by its models and another code-named Glenwood that runs on outside technology," Gurman writes.
The Cupertino company could also turn over Siri's foundation to OpenAI or Anthropic. Siri already connects with ChatGPT to answer questions that Apple's voice assistant can't handle.
Apple has yet to make a final decision on what AI models it'll use, so it's possible that the company could stick with Glenwood or Linwood.
Siri delays are hurting Apple
Apple reportedly believed generative AI wasn't a big deal until it was already far behind competitors like Google, Meta and OpenAI. For the last couple of years it's been rushing to catch up and get its own AI models together.
It hasn't worked, and Siri 2.0 was officially delayed earlier this year, which has forced Apple to partner with existing AI companies to get Apple Intelligence on track. A rarity with the current Apple that prefers to keep as much development in-house as physically possible.
Even with VP Craig Federighi stepping in to take over Siri's development, Apple is still behind. Though he does have big plans and expressed them in our interview with him during WWDC 2025.
The updated Siri is slated to launch in 2026.
