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Apple selected Google’s AI technology after a “careful evaluation” determined it provided “the most capable foundation” for the iPhone-maker’s AI ambitions.
The collaboration marks a significant shift for Apple, which has traditionally developed its core technologies in-house.
In a significant breakthrough, tech giants Apple and Google on Monday announced a multi-year partnership under which Apple’s next-generation artificial intelligence features, including its Siri digital assistant, will be powered by Google’s Gemini technology.
In a joint statement, the companies said Apple selected Google’s AI platform after a “careful evaluation” found it to be the “most capable foundation” for the iPhone-maker’s future AI plans.
“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,” the statement said.
The collaboration marked a notable shift for Apple, which has traditionally relied on in-house development for its core technologies. It represented a rare alliance between two companies that have long competed in the smartphone market, where Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android operating systems dominate globally.
Despite their competition, the companies have maintained a long-standing commercial relationship, with Google paying Apple billions of dollars annually to remain the default search engine on Apple devices.
That arrangement has faced scrutiny from regulators, with the US Justice Department arguing in an antitrust case that the deal helps Google maintain its search monopoly, though a judge said the arrangement could continue.
Financial terms of the new AI partnership were not disclosed. Analyst Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities described the collaboration as a “major validation moment for Google” and said it would help Apple get its AI strategy back on track in the coming years.
Apple had reportedly explored partnerships with other AI firms, including OpenAI, Anthropic and Perplexity, as it sought to strengthen its artificial intelligence capabilities, news agency AFP reported. The company has faced criticism for lagging behind rivals in rolling out AI features and recently announced the departure of the head of its AI team. An upgraded version of Siri, delayed last year, is now expected later this year.
Despite the partnership, Apple said its in-house system, Apple Intelligence, will continue to power on-device AI features across iPhones and iPads, ensuring what it called “industry-leading privacy standards,” even as Google’s Gemini supports more advanced AI functions.
(With inputs from agencies)
United States of America (USA)
January 12, 2026, 23:56 IST
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