Apple reportedly set to unveil Gemini-powered Siri in February

Apple is planning to announce a new version of its Siri assistant in the second half of February, according to reporting by Mark Gurman. The upcoming update is set to utilize Google’s Gemini AI models, representing the first tangible result of the AI partnership between Apple and Google. The collaboration marks a notable shift for Apple, which is leveraging Google’s Gemini AI models to power the update to its assistant. This update will reportedly be the first release to live up to the promises Apple made in June 2024 regarding the assistant’s capabilities. Specifically, the new version of Siri is expected to complete tasks by accessing a user’s personal data and on-screen content. Within this system, on-screen content refers to the ability of an AI to analyze and interact with data currently displayed on a user’s device, allowing the assistant to perform actions based on what is visible to the user.

Following the February release, Apple plans to announce a larger Siri upgrade at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June. This subsequent version of Siri is supposed to be more conversational, functioning in the style of other chatbots. To support these conversational capabilities, the updated assistant could run on Google’s cloud infrastructure. This cloud infrastructure refers to remote servers used for computing and data storage, which would handle the processing required for the assistant’s conversational features rather than relying solely on local device hardware.

The company’s shift in AI strategy follows a period of internal transition and reported struggles to get its AI roadmap back on track. Earlier reports had suggested that Apple was experiencing difficulties in establishing its artificial intelligence strategy. This situation led to internal friction, notably over the summer when Apple executive Mike Rockwell addressed foundation team members regarding external coverage of the company’s progress. Rockwell reportedly dismissed one of Gurman’s earlier reports about Apple’s AI difficulties, calling the report “bulls–t.” However, the division has since undergone significant changes, including the departure of former Apple AI chief John Giannandrea, as the company aligns its strategy around the Google partnership to establish a new direction.

Why it matters

This update marks the first concrete output of Apple’s AI partnership with Google, signaling a pivot toward fulfilling the task-completion promises the company made to users last year. By integrating external models and infrastructure, Apple is shifting its approach to delivering AI capabilities on its devices.