Apple is exploring a deeper reliance on Google's cloud infrastructure to power its next-generation Siri, according to a new report from The Information. The company has asked Google to investigate setting up dedicated servers that would host a Gemini-powered version of the AI assistant while maintaining Apple's strict privacy standards.
This potential expansion of their partnership follows January's announcement that Google's Gemini models would help power an upgraded Siri originally scheduled for last year. The Information suggests Apple may need to lean more heavily on Google's infrastructure as it works to catch up in artificial intelligence capabilities.
Apple has historically been conservative with infrastructure spending compared to rivals like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, which have made massive investments to meet AI demand. Even back in 2021, Apple was already Google's largest corporate cloud customer, preferring to lease data center capacity rather than build extensive server networks.
Internal data shows why this approach might be changing. According to former employees cited by The Information, only about 10 percent of Apple's Private Cloud Compute capacity currently sees use.
Some servers reportedly remain uninstalled in warehouses despite being purchased. When the revamped Siri launches later this year, Apple expects a significant increase in usage of its AI features. The company is now discussing leasing additional server capacity from Google specifically for this purpose.
"We're not changing our privacy rules," Cook said earlier this year. "We still have the same architecture that we announced before, which is on device plus Private Cloud Compute."
The original partnership announcement stated that "the next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google's Gemini models and cloud technology." These models would help power future Apple Intelligence features including what was described as "a more personalized Siri."
While core Apple Intelligence functions will continue running on Private Cloud Compute, personalized Siri features may operate differently under this arrangement. The key distinction would be servers not running on Apple Silicon hardware but still adhering to Cupertino's privacy requirements.
