Apple has confirmed a multiyear partnership with Google to power key artificial intelligence features across its ecosystem, including a long-anticipated upgrade to Siri expected later this year. The collaboration will rely on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology as a foundation for Apple’s future AI capabilities.

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According to a joint statement obtained by CNBC, Apple said it selected Google after an extensive evaluation process, citing Gemini as the “most capable foundation” for its Apple Foundation Models. While Google will provide the underlying AI technology, both companies emphasized that the models will continue to run on Apple devices and within Apple’s private cloud compute environment, maintaining Apple’s emphasis on on-device processing and user privacy.

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The deal marks a notable strategic shift. Apple has historically preferred to build core technologies in-house, but the rapid acceleration of generative AI has reshaped competitive timelines. While competitors like Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta Platforms have invested aggressively in AI infrastructure and products, Apple has taken a more measured approach, now under pressure to deliver a meaningful Siri transformation.

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Reports suggest Apple may pay roughly $1 billion annually to license Google’s AI technology, though neither company has confirmed financial terms. The partnership builds on an already deep commercial relationship, with Google paying Apple billions each year to remain the default search engine on iPhones, a deal that recently survived heightened antitrust scrutiny in the U.S.

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For Google, the agreement is a powerful endorsement of its AI comeback. After years of playing catch-up to OpenAI in public perception, Google has steadily rebuilt momentum with its Gemini roadmap. In 2025, the company surpassed Apple in market capitalization for the first time since 2019 and reported record-breaking cloud deal activity under CEO Sundar Pichai.

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The partnership also raises important questions about Apple’s existing integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, currently used for complex queries within Siri and Apple Intelligence. Apple has stated that no immediate changes are being made to that arrangement, suggesting a future where multiple AI models coexist behind Apple’s interface.

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Ultimately, this deal highlights a broader industry shift: even the most vertically integrated technology companies are now forming strategic AI alliances. As AI becomes foundational infrastructure rather than a feature, partnerships, not isolation, may define the next era of platform competition.