Apple’s Siri upgrade could have Google’s Gemini underneath: Report

Apple is reportedly turning to its long-time rival, Google, to overhaul its Siri voice assistant.

According to a new report from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, the two tech giants have reached a formal agreement this week to test Google’s powerful Gemini AI model within Apple’s ecosystem.

The potential partnership comes as Apple faces mounting criticism for falling behind in the generative AI race, a field now dominated by players like OpenAI, Perplexity, and Google itself.

With its own major Siri update reportedly delayed until 2026, Apple appears to be exploring external solutions to make its iconic assistant competitive with today’s advanced AI “answer engines.”

The agreement, as detailed by Bloomberg, would allow Apple to integrate and test a Google AI model directly within Siri.

If the trial proves successful, the technology could extend beyond the voice assistant, potentially enhancing other core features of the iPhone software, including the Safari browser and the device’s universal Spotlight search function.

This collaboration marks a significant shift in strategy for Apple, which has historically favored developing its core technologies in-house.

For years, Apple’s Spotlight search has offered basic, direct answers for simple queries, seemingly as a way to bypass Google’s web search.

However, the rise of sophisticated AI chatbots that can provide nuanced, summarized answers on a vast range of topics has significantly raised consumer expectations.

The report suggests the upgraded search experience would be far more dynamic, featuring an interface that combines text, photos, videos, and local points of interest.

A key feature would be an AI-powered summarization tool, providing users with concise answers instead of just a list of links.

Furthermore, the new Siri would reportedly be able to access users’ personal data on their devices to offer more personalized assistance and enable more complex voice-activated device navigation.

While no official announcements have been made, the reported deal signals a pragmatic approach by Apple to bridge the AI gap quickly.

As of Thursday, neither Apple nor Google has officially commented on the reported agreement. The tech world now watches closely to see if this unprecedented partnership will redefine the future of consumer AI or become entangled in regulatory and privacy challenges before it even begins.