Alphabet shares rose on Friday after reports emerged that Apple is in preliminary discussions about using Google's Gemini artificial intelligence model to upgrade its Siri assistant. Apple recently asked Google about the possibility of customizing the artificial intelligence model that will power the new Siri due out next year. The company's shares rose more than 3%. Google's flagship AI model, Gemini, has been on top of key benchmarks for AI progress, while Apple has been working hard to develop its own AI strategy.
Meanwhile, Google's lucrative search deal with Apple faces potential risks. This month, a U.S. judge is expected to rule on penalties against Google for allegedly monopolizing its search business, with the Justice Department recommending the cancellation of exclusive agreements with third parties. For Google, that means its search placement on Apple iPhones and Samsung devices — deals that cost the company billions of dollars a year.
The Android phone maker said its Gemini model will become the default assistant for Android phones. Google this year showed off some of Gemini’s capabilities beyond Siri, such as summarizing videos.
Craig Federighi, who oversees Apple's operating systems, said at last year's developer conference that Apple hopes to add other specific-purpose AI models to its Apple Intelligence Framework. Federighi singled out Google, whose Gemini can now hold conversations with users and handle input from photos, videos, voice or text. Apple is also exploring partnerships with Anthropic and OpenAI in an attempt to update its artificial intelligence roadmap.
Documents disclosed in Google's remediation trial show that Apple executives were involved in talks to use Google's Gemini as a potential search option.