Gemini to power Siri: Apple picks Google’s Gemini over ChatGPT to power next-gen Siri AI

Apple just made a big move in its AI playbook. The company is partnering with Google in a multi-year deal that will bring Gemini models into Apple’s AI stack, setting the stage for a major Siri overhaul later this year.

The partnership leans on Google’s Gemini models and cloud infrastructure to support Apple Foundation Models, according to details shared with CNBC’s Jim Cramer. For Apple, it marks a clear shift after months of sitting on the sidelines while rivals sprinted ahead in the AI race.

“After careful evaluation, we determined that Google’s technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models, and we’re excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for our users,” Apple said in a statement.

Neither company disclosed financial terms. Apple declined to comment on the deal structure, and Google did not provide specifics.

The talks weren’t a total surprise. Bloomberg reported back in August that Apple was already exploring a custom Gemini model to run a new version of Siri. That effort now appears to be official, putting Google right at the center of Apple’s AI roadmap.

The timing matters. Just last week, Google passed Apple in market value for the first time since 2019, briefly touching the $4 trillion mark. Shares of both companies dipped slightly after the partnership news broke.

Apple has faced growing pressure to catch up. Since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in late 2022, Wall Street has watched Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft pour billions into AI tools and infrastructure. Apple’s response has felt slow by comparison, especially after it delayed its long-promised Siri upgrade until 2026, even as ads for the feature were already running.

“It’s going to take us longer than we thought to deliver on these features, and we anticipate rolling them out in the coming year,” Apple said at the time.

For now, Apple continues to work with OpenAI. ChatGPT handles complex questions within Siri and Apple Intelligence, leveraging broader world knowledge. Apple told CNBC that nothing has changed there. The OpenAI agreement stays in place, though the long-term impact of the Google deal remains unclear. OpenAI did not respond to a request for comment.

Google, meanwhile, has been stacking wins on the enterprise side. The company rolled out its upgraded Gemini 3 model late last year, sharpening its position against OpenAI and Anthropic. In October, CEO Sundar Pichai said Google Cloud signed more billion-dollar contracts through Q3 2025 than it did across the previous two years combined.

For Apple, this partnership signals a reset. Siri has lagged rivals for years. Bringing Gemini into the mix shows that Apple is ready to rely on external tech to close the gap. If it works, users may finally see the assistant become smarter, faster, and more useful in everyday tasks.

Big Tech alliances don’t happen lightly. This one puts two longtime rivals on the same side of the AI race, and it could reshape how millions interact with their devices in the months ahead.