Apple Makes Peace With Google to Stay in the AI Game

Oh, how the tables have turned. Apple has officially confirmed a multi-year partnership with Google. As a result, Gemini AI will power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized version of Siri expected to arrive later this year. It gives Apple a much-needed boost, but it also underscores how far the company has fallen behind rivals that moved faster and more decisively, Samsung included.

Apple turns to Google’s Gemini to fix Apple Intelligence, including Siri

Siri’s long-promised overhaul has become one of Apple’s most visible AI missteps. First teased in 2024, the assistant was meant to understand personal context, perform actions across apps, and act more like a true digital helper. Instead, the rollout slipped multiple times, forcing Apple to admit the project was taking longer than expected. A former colleague once joked that it stood for “Almost Intelligence,” but I digress.

Under the new agreement, Apple will base its next-generation foundation models on Google’s Gemini models and cloud infrastructure. Apple says most processing will still happen on-device or through its Private Cloud Compute network to preserve privacy standards. Still, the move speaks volumes. It’s a clear sign Apple’s internal models weren’t moving fast enough to keep up at scale.

Samsung’s early Gemini bet keeps paying dividends

Samsung took a very different approach. The company partnered with Google early, integrating Gemini across Galaxy phones, tablets, and PCs. That made AI a core part of its product strategy rather than a late add-on. Galaxy devices already deliver deeper AI-powered search, photo editing, live translation, note summarization, and tighter system-level integration.

What’s the best part? It’s all available today, not promised for next year (and the object eraser actually works, duh!). Samsung has also expanded Galaxy AI across multiple generations of devices, showing a faster cadence than Apple’s slower, staged rollout. Still, there’s something worth flagging in a joint statement from Google and Apple.

Samsung says its AI keeps most personal data on the device and only taps the cloud when needed. But Apple’s now pushing privacy even further with its Gemini deal. Google confirms it won’t access or train on Siri user data, similar to how Apple already handles ChatGPT requests. “Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute, while maintaining Apple’s industry-leading privacy standards,” said the joint statement.