Apple is preparing a major upgrade for Siri, its voice assistant, and the company is leaving no stone unturned. According to reports, Apple has entered discussions with Google to potentially use Gemini AI models as the foundation of the revamped Siri. This would mark one of the biggest shifts in Apple’s AI strategy, as the company weighs the benefits of partnering with outside giants against relying solely on its own technology.

The Future of Siri Hinges on AI Partnerships

The new Siri was first announced at WWDC 2024, but its release was delayed due to engineering challenges. Apple has since begun exploring external partnerships to accelerate the process. While Google is now in active talks with Apple, the company has also reportedly evaluated Anthropic’s Claude and OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Apple is currently testing two different approaches internally. One version of Siri, codenamed Linwood, is powered by Apple’s own AI models, while another, called Glenwood, uses external AI technology. This internal “bake off” is designed to determine which solution will provide the best results for users.

Why Google Gemini Could Be the Chosen Brain

If Apple moves forward with Google, it is expected that the Gemini-powered Siri would run through Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers. These servers rely on Mac chips for secure remote AI processing. This means the new Siri would not rely entirely on on-device processing but instead use a hybrid system that combines security with the scale of cloud-based AI.

Reports suggest that Google is already training a custom model designed to run on Apple’s infrastructure. This could give Siri more advanced conversational abilities, better contextual understanding, and the ability to process complex tasks in real time.

Previous Talks With Other AI Giants

Apple initially leaned toward Anthropic’s Claude, but high financial demands reportedly stalled those discussions. OpenAI’s ChatGPT was also in the running, and Apple Intelligence currently uses ChatGPT for complex queries. However, for Siri, Apple appears to prefer a more tightly integrated system with a balance of privacy, performance, and cost.

What It Means for Users

If Google and Apple finalize this partnership, Siri could finally catch up to and even surpass its AI-powered competitors. Users can expect a smarter assistant that not only answers questions but can also manage tasks, understand context better, and integrate deeply with apps and services. However, Apple has yet to make a final decision, and the process is expected to take several more weeks.

This also raises a bigger question: Will Apple’s reliance on external AI compromise its long-standing commitment to user privacy? Apple’s Private Cloud Compute design might be the key to ensuring that privacy remains central while still delivering advanced capabilities.

Final Thoughts

Apple’s potential collaboration with Google marks a defining moment in the race for AI dominance. Whether Siri ends up being powered by Apple’s own Linwood or Google’s Gemini, one thing is certain  the Siri we see next year will be far smarter, faster, and more capable than ever before.

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