In a significant turn of events, Apple and Google appear to be forging a mutually beneficial partnership. Utilizing its extensive financial resources, Apple has gained access to Google’s advanced Gemini AI models. This collaboration was notably highlighted during the Google Cloud Next 2026 event, where Apple received special recognition and prominent features.
Apple: A Key Player in Google Cloud
Apple getting airtime at @googlecloud Next as a Gemini customer is notable enough.@ThomasOrTK naming Apple as the company that picked Gemini to power the new Siri made it land harder. Google won a marquee customer and reminded everyone in the room that the most anticipated Apple… pic.twitter.com/1GNYSadyWT
— Carolina Milanesi (@caro_milanesi) April 22, 2026
During the recent Google Cloud Next 2026 event, Google strategically showcased Apple as a pivotal client to emphasize the capabilities of its Gemini AI models. This collaboration follows a discreet agreement estimated to be valued at up to $5 billion, with future growth potential.
As part of this agreement, Apple is set to pay approximately $1 billion annually for the rights to utilize a customized 1.2-trillion-parameter Gemini AI model on its own private servers. This powerful model will enhance Apple’s ability to execute complex AI queries while ensuring the encryption and stateless processing of user data to uphold privacy standards.
Moreover, Apple’s redesigned virtual assistant, Siri, will leverage Google’s TPUs and cloud infrastructure under Apple’s management. Importantly, Apple reassures customers that this collaboration will not compromise its rigorous privacy protocols.
The Siri chatbot is expected to use a more sophisticated iteration of the Gemini model, identified internally as Apple Foundation Models version 11, which, as per insights from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, is anticipated to be on par with Gemini 3.
With this collaborative potential in mind, it is clear why Google took the opportunity to spotlight Apple during its cloud event, signaling the start of a promising alliance that could reshape both companies’ strategies.
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