As competition in artificial intelligence intensifies, tech giants are joining forces to explore new opportunities. Apple and Google have announced a multiyear AI partnership, under which Google’s Gemini technology will power the next generation of Siri on devices such as the iPhone. Valued at an estimated $1 billion annually, the deal represents a major shift in Apple’s AI strategy and has also prompted questions about its ongoing collaboration with ChatGPT creator OpenAI.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and founder of xAI, has expressed disapproval of the recently unveiled long-term collaboration between Apple and Google. This partnership involves the integration of Google's Gemini AI models to enhance the upcoming Siri and other Apple Intelligence functionalities.
The deal has sparked immediate concerns over market concentration. “This seems like an unreasonable concentration of power for Google, given that they also have Android and Chrome,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote on X. His critique goes beyond competitive positioning as xAI’s founder, highlighting a genuine enterprise concern about vendor dependency.
“Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration under which the next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology. These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalised Siri coming this year,” the two companies said in a joint statement on Monday.
Musk's critique arises as he participates in the AI competition with xAI, which is responsible for creating the rival Grok AI model. He has earlier initiated antitrust lawsuits against Apple and OpenAI, alleging that they give preference to ChatGPT on the App Store while excluding competitors. This lawsuit has withstood attempts to dismiss it and is moving forward.
Apple and Google Partnership
According to a joint statement, the next generation of Apple foundation models will be based on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology. The partnership will see Apple pay about $1 billion a year for a 1.2-trillion parameter artificial intelligence model developed by Alphabet Inc.’s Google to run its overhauled Siri voice assistant.
The collaboration extends beyond just Siri. Apple confirmed it chose Google’s technology after careful evaluation, determining it provides the most capable foundation for its AI ambitions.
Why Apple needs Google’s help
Apple’s decision was based explicitly on a capabilities assessment, rather than convenience, pricing, or ecosystem compatibility. While rivals like Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft aggressively invested in AI following ChatGPT’s launch in late 2022, Apple remained on the sidelines, struggling to deliver on its AI promises. The company had planned a major Siri upgrade for WWDC 2024 but was forced to push the rollout from 2025 to 2026, acknowledging that the features would take longer to develop than anticipated.
Google’s 1.2 trillion-parameter model is far more powerful than Apple’s, making the revamped Siri significantly more capable. Google’s AI already powers Samsung’s Galaxy AI, proving its scalability. Apple’s partnership, however, integrates this technology across over two billion devices, adding complexity with its performance and privacy demands. Google now influences AI on both major mobile OSes, creating long-term technical and commercial dependencies for enterprises using a single AI provider.