Apple considers Google Gemini to power next-gen Siri, internal AI ‘bake-off’ underway

Apple seems open to anything and everything when it comes to delivering the next generation of Siri. After reports that it could be powered by OpenAI or Anthropic, Google has entered the conversation.

Mark Gurman reports for Bloomberg that Google, which offers a ChatGPT competitor called Gemini, is actually training a model that could run on Apple’s servers to power the new Siri experience:

The iPhone maker recently approached Alphabet Inc.’s Google to explore building a custom AI model that would serve as the foundation of the new Siri next year, according to people familiar with the matter. Google has started training a model that could run on Apple’s servers, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private.

Gurman, who originally reported that Apple was considering OpenAI and Anthropic as solutions, says no decision has been reached yet, but Apple is putting the models head-to-head against its own models:

Internally, Apple is holding a bake-off to see which approach will work best. The company is simultaneously developing two versions of the new Siri: one dubbed Linwood that is powered by its models and another code-named Glenwood that runs on outside technology.

Gemini currently powers Android’s AI system as well as Samsung’s. The tool is also used to make AI features in lots of services and apps possible, including in third-party software that runs on Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

Claude AI model maker Anthropic has reportedly been viewed as the favorite by Apple, but the AI firm may be asking too high a price for powering the new Siri.

Separately, Gurman reports that some Apple leaders have considered using non-Apple models to power features under the Apple Intelligence umbrella, but Apple is only actively considering sourcing a possible Siri model provider for now.

Meanwhile, Apple has reportedly begun testing its first trillion parameter model that would be much more powerful than its existing 150 billion parameter models in use on Apple servers today.

To recap, Apple first announced an all-new Siri experience in June 2024 that it promised to deliver in iOS 18. After major roadblocks, leadership reorganization, and starting over with a new system, Apple delayed the original announcement with a new deadline of sometime in 2026. Apple is said to be targeting a spring release.