Conflicting statements from Apple and Google leadership have raised questions about whether next-generation Siri may run on Google Cloud infrastructure, despite Apple's privacy-focused messaging.
Google executives Sundar Pichai and Philipp Schindler stated during Alphabet's Q4 2025 earnings call that Google is collaborating with Apple as their "preferred cloud provider" for developing next-generation Apple Foundation Models based on Gemini technology. This directly contradicts Apple CEO Tim Cook's earlier statements that Apple Intelligence would continue running on-device and through Apple's Private Cloud Compute infrastructure.
The partnership, announced earlier this year, will see Google's Gemini technology power new Siri features expected to roll out in stages starting later this year. Apple recently confirmed the collaboration, stating Google's technology provides "the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models." Analysts have been closely watching this AI deal, with some prioritizing it over Google's 18% revenue growth due to Gemini's potential access to billions of Apple devices.
"We'll continue to run on the device, and run in Private Cloud Compute, and maintain our industry-leading privacy standards in doing so."
Cook maintained this position during Apple's earnings call. However, he declined to provide details about the financial arrangement with Google or confirm where Gemini-powered Siri would actually operate.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that the companies are discussing hosting a more advanced, chatbot-style Siri directly on Google servers running tensor processing units (TPUs). This would represent a significant policy shift for Apple, which has historically maintained tight control over its cloud infrastructure.
The more immediate Siri update will reportedly operate on Apple's Private Cloud Compute servers using high-end Mac chips for processing.
A phased rollout could see initial updates running on Apple infrastructure while more advanced features migrate to Google's TPU-backed servers.
Neither company has clarified whether the new Siri, which may arrive with a future iOS update, will operate on Apple or Google servers. The conflicting statements have created uncertainty about how Apple will maintain its privacy standards while potentially routing user queries through Google's infrastructure.
Apple's Private Cloud Compute system, introduced as part of Apple Intelligence, was designed to maintain user privacy when data needs cloud processing beyond what on-device models can handle. The system uses Apple's own chips and includes verifiable privacy guarantees.
Google's involvement as a cloud provider raises questions about data access and privacy controls. While Apple has emphasized its privacy-first approach, Google executives' characterization of the partnership as a cloud provider relationship suggests deeper infrastructure integration than previously disclosed.
The companies may be referring to different components of the Siri system when discussing infrastructure. Apple could be maintaining its existing Private Cloud Compute for core Siri functionality while offloading more advanced Gemini-powered features to Google's servers.
Industry analysts note that Google's TPU infrastructure offers significant computational advantages for large language model inference, potentially explaining Apple's willingness to consider external hosting despite its historical preference for in-house control. Google's Gemini has been rapidly gaining market share, tripling its generative AI market position to 18.2% over the past year.
The partnership's financial terms remain undisclosed, though analysts have questioned whether revenue sharing arrangements exist. Cook declined to address this during Apple's earnings call, stating only that the companies were not releasing partnership details.
The next-generation Siri, potentially unveiled at WWDC 2026, could represent a significant AI infrastructure shift for Apple if it moves to external cloud hosting. The company faces balancing performance demands with its privacy commitments as it integrates Google's Gemini technology across its ecosystem.
