In a courtroom twist with major tech implications, Google CEO Sundar Pichai has confirmed ongoing discussions to integrate Gemini, Google’s flagship AI model, into Apple’s ecosystem—potentially transforming Siri into a multimodal assistant by mid-2025.
The revelation surfaced during Pichai’s testimony in the U.S. Department of Justice’s landmark antitrust case against Google. When asked by DOJ attorney Veronica Onyema whether Apple would include Gemini in its operating system by next year, Pichai simply said, “Correct”—marking the first official acknowledgment of the integration talks.
High-Level AI Talks Between Tech Titans
Pichai revealed that Apple CEO Tim Cook personally engaged in several discussions throughout 2023 about Google’s AI roadmap. The conversations reportedly included Gemini’s capabilities and potential distribution through Apple’s platforms. “Tim wanted to understand how we’re evolving Gemini,” Pichai testified, expressing optimism about future inclusion in Siri.
While details remain under wraps, Apple has already shown openness to AI partnerships. At WWDC 2024, Apple executive Craig Federighi teased the idea of offering users model choices like Google Gemini within Siri, stating, “We want to enable users to choose the models they prefer.”
A New Era of Siri?
The move signals a broader shift in Apple’s strategy. At the 2024 WWDC event, Apple introduced Apple Intelligence—its proprietary AI suite—along with initial integration of OpenAI’s ChatGPT for enhanced functionality. A similar opt-in model for Gemini could allow Siri to delegate complex tasks to Google’s AI, giving users greater flexibility.
Hints of this future were spotted in iOS 18.4 beta code by MacRumors analyst Aaron Perris, who found references to “third-party models,” including Google, indicating Apple is laying the technical groundwork.
Apple and Google: Competitors Turned Collaborators?
Despite a complicated history—Google pays Apple billions to be the default search engine on Safari—the two giants are increasingly aligning in the AI space. Gemini integration could broaden AI options on iPhones and iPads while allowing Apple to maintain user choice and data privacy standards.
For Google, embedding Gemini into Siri opens the door to billions of new users in Apple’s ecosystem. For Apple, it’s a step toward building a more open, competitive AI environment without committing solely to in-house solutions.
WWDC 2025 Reveal on the Horizon?
With Pichai’s “mid-2025” timeline hinting at a near-final agreement, many expect an official announcement as early as Apple’s WWDC 2025, kicking off on June 9. If confirmed, it would mark the second consecutive year that Apple unveils a major AI partnership at its developer conference.
As the antitrust trial against Google continues, the courtroom has become a stage not only for regulatory battles but also for reshaping the AI future. A Gemini-Siri partnership could redefine virtual assistants—and deepen the rivalry between AI giants like Google, OpenAI, and Apple itself.
