During Apple’s recent earnings call, CEO Tim Cook was asked why Apple decided to use Google’s AI instead of Sam Altman’s OpenAI for the revamped Siri assistant. Cook said that after evaluating multiple options, Apple found that Google’s technology — particularly its Gemini AI models — offered the strongest foundation to build an advanced and personalized version of Siri.
Cook emphasized that this decision wasn’t about limiting competition but about partnering with the most capable and collaborative technology available at the moment. According to him, Apple believed Google’s AI would help unlock more intelligent and useful experiences for users across iPhones, iPads and Macs.
OpenAI Was Not a Top Contender
Tim Cook clarified that OpenAI was never a serious contender in Apple’s evaluation for this specific Siri upgrade. Although Apple has previously integrated ChatGPT (an OpenAI technology) into Siri for some tasks, the company felt that for the deeper AI update planned in 2026, Google’s Gemini models were a better fit.
This doesn’t mean Apple is closing its doors to other AI collaborations. According to Cook, the goal is to choose technologies that can be best integrated with Apple’s privacy-focused and device-integrated approach to artificial intelligence.
Focus on Privacy and Integration
Apple’s partnership with Google aims to power Siri while still maintaining the company’s industry-leading privacy standards. Unlike some AI systems that rely heavily on external cloud services, Apple says its approach will run many features directly on devices or through secure cloud compute, while keeping user data private.
Cook also noted that Apple continues to build its own AI capabilities alongside this collaboration. The company plans to use a combination of internal development and partnerships to strengthen Apple Intelligence — the suite of AI-driven tools across its ecosystem.
What It Means for Siri Users
Users can expect future versions of Siri to be more context-aware and capable of understanding complex queries, thanks to the integration with Google’s advanced AI models. While Apple is leveraging Google’s technology for this specific integration, its broader AI vision includes both privacy protection and improved on-device intelligence.
