Apple is reportedly close to finalizing a pretty game changing deal with Google, one that has the potential to give Siri a complete overhaul and a major leg up on the competition. According to Bloomberg, Apple is allegedly on the verge of paying Google around 1 billion dollars a year in exchange for access to a customised version of Google’s Gemini AI model – and that in itself marks a pretty profound shift in Apple’s approach to artificial intelligence.
A New Era For Siri
The deal with Google is part of a complete overhaul of Siri, the voice assistant that Apple has been relying on for years. This is a major revamp – one that will introduce a whole new generation of smart features, all powered by advanced AI. For a long time, Siri has been lagging behind the likes of ChatGPT, Google Assistant and Alexa – but with Google’s Gemini at its core, Siri could finally get the brain boost it’s been missing.
The Power Behind Gemini
The Gemini model that Apple is going to be using is a real powerhouse – boasting a whopping 1.2 trillion parameters. That’s more than 8 times the number of parameters in Apple’s current AI model, which is good for around 150 billion. In AI terms, that means Gemini is going to be able to understand, generate and respond to language in a whole lot more detail – and with a lot more accuracy.
Apple reportedly tested out AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic and Google back in the spring before deciding on Gemini. This deal suggests that Apple is prioritising getting results and getting it right, even if it means teaming up with someone else to get there – at least for now.
Why Apple Is Turning To Google
Traditionally, Apple has relied on its own tech when it comes to software development. But this partnership is a pretty clear sign that Apple is willing to adapt and do what it takes to stay ahead in the AI game – even if that means teaming up with a rival for a while. The deal gives Apple access to some of the very latest AI tech, while also allowing them to give their own “Apple Intelligence” systems a bit of a polish.
What’s Next For Siri
The new and improved Siri is expected to drop in the spring of next year – with improved natural interaction, better contextual understanding and more intelligent task management across all your Apple devices. Although, the report does note that plans are always subject to change, and things could end up being different by the time the launch rolls around.
Final Thoughts
If this deal goes through, it’ll be a pretty big deal in the world of AI, marking a rare collaboration between two tech giants. And if all goes according to plan, it could be the start of a new era for Siri – one where it’s smarter, more capable and possibly even leading the charge in the AI assistant game.
