Apple Partners with Google for Siri Enhancement: A $1 Billion Deal
This week, we unveiled Apple’s strategic decision to collaborate with Google to enhance Siri using the Gemini AI model. Bloomberg has expanded on this revelation, detailing that Apple plans to invest approximately $1 billion annually to access Google’s advanced AI technology, featuring a staggering 1.2 trillion parameters to boost Siri’s capabilities.
Transforming Siri’s Functionality
Apple intends to leverage Google’s Gemini model primarily for Siri’s summarization and planning tasks. This sophisticated planner functionality promises to elevate Siri’s ability to synthesize vast amounts of information and execute intricate user requests. Importantly, Apple aims to keep Google’s involvement discreet, portraying the Mountain View tech giant as an invisible support system. Thus, iPhone users may remain unaware that their voice assistant is powered by the technology firm behind Android.
A Leap in AI Technology
The transition to this custom 1.2 trillion parameter Gemini model represents a significant upgrade from the current system, which operates on a 150 billion parameter AI model for Apple Intelligence. According to Bloomberg’s report, the Gemini technology will be hosted on Apple’s own Private Cloud Compute servers, ensuring separation from Google’s infrastructure.
Code-Name Linwood: The Future of Siri
Internally, the new Siri project, code-named Linwood, is part of a larger initiative called Glenwood. This revamped Siri experience is slated for deployment with iOS 26.4, anticipated for release in spring 2024. However, Apple’s utilization of the Gemini model is viewed as a temporary measure, acknowledging that the company has not kept pace in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
Future Developments in Apple’s AI Strategy
Looking ahead, Apple is reportedly developing its own 1 trillion parameter cloud-based AI model, expected to be ready for consumer applications by next year. This proprietary solution could eventually replace the Gemini-powered Siri. However, it is noteworthy that the Gemini-enhanced Siri may face restrictions in China due to the country’s prohibition on Google services.
Localized Solutions for the Chinese Market
In the Chinese market, Apple is likely to rely on proprietary models in conjunction with a filtration system developed by Alibaba. Additionally, there have been discussions regarding potential partnerships with Baidu to bolster Apple’s AI offerings within the country.
For more insights, refer to the original article on Bloomberg.
Further details can be found in the report from Neowin.
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