Apple Taps Google’s Gemini to Boost Siri to Catch Up in AI Race

- Privacy-first Apple turns to Google Gemini to strengthen Siri in a multiyear deal. - After the deal news broke out, Google’s parent company, Alphabet, crossed $4 trillion in market value for the first time ever. - Elon Musk criticises and calls the deal "an unreasonable concentration of power."

Adepu Bindu

13 Jan 2026 — 3 min read

Apple Taps Google’s Gemini to Boost Siri to Catch Up in AI Race

It's a well-known fact that, for Apple, privacy comes first and everything else comes next. Apple's focus on privacy was restricting the vast amount of data that's required to train large AI models. However, it has also become important for the company to consider that it is falling behind in the AI race. So, Apple is now using Google’s Gemini AI to supercharge Siri while keeping privacy and security. The deal is highly criticised by Elon Musk. After the deal news went out, Google’s parent company, Alphabet, saw its stock jump. The market value crossed $4 trillion for the first time ever. Learn more.

Why Is Apple Struggling With AI?

Last year, Apple delayed the launch of the improved version of Siri, and in December, Apple's AI Chief stepped down. Now the launch is moved further ahead into the year with Google Gemini onboard. With that said, there's no doubt that Apple is behind in AI.

Why Is This AI Deal Between Google and Apple Surprising?

Apple has been building everything in-house, including software, chips, and core technologies. However, it couldn't crack the AI code. Needless to say, it didn't want to compromise its core promise of privacy while jumping into the AI game as everyone did. Choosing Google’s AI instead of making its own is a big change in Apple’s strategy. The decision came after careful consideration. Apple compared its options and decided to proceed with Gemini.

Apple and Google are major rivals: Apple runs iOS, and Google runs Android. Both of their systems dominate smartphones worldwide and compete directly with each other. And they still work together (and have been). Google pays Apple billions to stay as the default search engine on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

Elon's Reply To Apple's deal with Google Gemini

Why Did Elon Musk Criticise the Deal (Google X Apple)?

He argues that the deal will give Google significant power, as it already controls Android, owns Chrome, and will work on Apple's Siri. He called this multi-year deal an unfair concentration of power.

Did Apple Look at Other AI Before Deciding on Google’s Gemini?

Before deciding on the multiyear deal with Google, Apple considered other options as well. OpenAI, Anthropic, and Preplexity were among the popular options, yet Google Gemini won. The company won in different ways after getting the deal. Google’s parent company, Alphabet, jumped and crossed $4 trillion for the first time ever.

Is Apple Giving up on Its Own AI?

According to Apple, it's a big no! Apple still has its own system. Apple Intelligence will continue to run directly on iPhones and iPads. This means that all the AI tasks will stay on your device and not on the cloud. Along with the deal, Apple also reassured its users of its commitment to industry-leading privacy.

Final Thoughts...

According to experts like Dan Ives, a well-known tech analyst, the deal is a huge vote of confidence in Google’s AI. Dan says that it will help Apple catch up in AI. Well, the future shall reveal how fruitful the deal will be. For more updates, stay in touch.