Apple and Google Gemini: The Real Story Behind the AI Alliance

Tuesday, 13 January 2026 at 08:55

The news that broke on mid-January, 2026, isn't exactly what the initial headlines suggested. Apple has confirmed a major collaboration with Google, but there is a crucial nuance: Gemini is not "moving into" your iPhone to replace Siri. The real story is about infrastructure and model training, not the user interface. This is a tactical move, similar to those Apple has made for decades to buy time.

Key Points

Apple uses Gemini exclusively for training its own internal AI models.

The deal costs roughly $1 billion per year and focuses on cloud infrastructure.

No user information is shared with Google during the use of Apple Intelligence.

Siri continues to run locally or via Apple’s secure Private Cloud Compute.

The partnership is seen as temporary until Apple's autonomous model arrives in 2027.

What "Training" via Gemini Actually Means

Apple has chosen to use Google's Gemini models and cloud infrastructure as a foundation for training its own Apple Foundation Models.

Why Gemini? After extensive testing, Apple concluded that Gemini offers the most capable base for large-scale model training currently available.
The Cost: The deal is reportedly worth approximately $1 billion annually.
Privacy: The key here is that user data remains "locked." Gemini is used in the lab during the development phase. When your iPhone processes a command, it does so via Apple's Private Cloud Compute, with zero involvement from Google.

The Maps Comparison

Many are wondering if Apple lost the AI game. The reality is more practical. Remember when the iPhone had Google Maps as the default until Apple Maps was ready? The same thing is happening now. Apple is developing its own trillion-parameter model, which is expected to be ready by 2027. Until then, Google provides the "engine" to move the project forward faster.

Siri and Local Processing

There is no reason to worry about Siri's autonomy. Apple Intelligence remains a closed entity. Processing happens either on-device (directly on your device's chip) or on servers controlled exclusively by Apple. Google does not have access to your personal queries or files. Gemini simply acts as a "coach" for Apple's algorithms, helping them better understand language and context.