Why this hire matters for Apple
Apple is preparing a significantly improved version of Siri for release later this year, rebuilt using technology from Google’s Gemini AI model. The two companies announced a multi-year collaboration in January, under which the next generation of Apple’s Foundation Models will be based on Gemini and Google’s cloud infrastructure.“Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration under which the next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology. These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri coming this year,” the companies said in a joint statement.“After careful evaluation, Apple determined that Google’s Al technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and is excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for Apple users. Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute, while maintaining Apple’s industry-leading privacy standards,” they added.Apple is expected to announce updated Siri at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference on June 8. The company is expected to open Siri up to multiple AI chatbots at once – Google’s Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude, ChatGPT and potentially others – effectively ending the exclusive arrangement with OpenAI that has been in place since WWDC 2024.
