Apple and Google are once again in the global spotlight. The two tech giants are reportedly close to reaching an agreement worth US$1 billion per year to bolster Siri's voice assistant capabilities using Google's AI model.
This step marks a major shift in Apple's artificial intelligence strategy, which has relied on internal development so far. Based on the report fromReutersandThe Information, Google AI model that will be used has a capacity up to1.2 trillion parameters, much larger than Apple's model which is only around150 billion parameters.
Apple is said to run the model in its own infrastructure.Private Cloud Compute, in order to maintain full control over user data.
Apple and Google's biggest AI collaboration.
This Apple-Google agreement reflects a new direction for the AI world. Apple, known for being closed and independent, is now opening itself to strategic collaborations with its main rival.
In an internal report circulating, Apple has evaluated a number of large-model providers such asOpenAIandAnthropicbefore finally choosing Google for the initial partnership. Google's AI model, which is known by the nameGemini, chosen because of its stability and the massive scale of its technology.
Target launch of the new Siri in 2026
Industry sources say that the new version of Siri with support for Google's AI model will be launched onSpring 2026However, this schedule may shift depending on the readiness of system integration and Apple's data privacy certification.
Even though it uses external technology, Apple ensures that user data will not leave the scope of its internal servers. This system enables Apple to maintain control over the security of personal information.
Privacy Becomes the Main Focus
Privacy has long been the foundation of Apple's reputation. With the Private Cloud Compute system, Apple guarantees that all Siri requests are processed within the Apple ecosystem without direct intervention from Google.
This is important for maintaining user trust, given that large AI models require training data in very large quantities. Apple has emphasized that this collaboration is technical in nature, not about sharing user data.
Why does Apple choose Google?
Apple's decision to partner with Google is not without reason. Siri has long been considered to be lagging behind in comparison.Google AssistantorAmazon AlexaIn multi-step performance tests and conversational contexts, Siri often has difficulty maintaining natural conversational understanding.
The drive to catch up
According to the reportReuters, this move by Apple is a form of “accelerationAccelerating the AI strategy to avoid falling further behind. By using Google's large model while developing its internal model, Apple can accelerate Siri's modernization without losing long-term control.
Efficiency and Scalability Factors
Building a trillion-parameter AI model from scratch requires time, money, and large infrastructure. Collaboration with Google enables Apple to shorten research time while also leveraging a mature model.
In addition, Google has experience managing AI at a global scale through an ecosystem.Geminithat is used in various services such as YouTube, Search, and Workspace.
Continue to develop your own model.
Although Apple temporarily relies on Google's technology, Apple remains committed to developing its own AI model. In several interviews, Tim Cook, the CEO, stressed that Apple does not want to be dependent on external parties forever.
This cooperation is called as “strategic transitionTowards Apple's autonomous AI in the medium term.
Benefits and Risks for Google
From Google's perspective, collaboration with Apple opens up great opportunities, both financially and strategically.
High-value contract
An agreement valued at aroundUS$1 billion per yeargiving Google a new revenue stream from one of the world's most prestigious clients. This strengthens Google's position as the leading provider of globally scalable AI models.
In addition to economic value, this contract also serves as a form of external validation of the technology.Gemini, which has long competed with OpenAI's GPT-5 and Anthropic's Claude.
Effects of Reputation and Ecosystem
Working with Apple means Google's model will be used on millions of iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. Although it runs on Apple infrastructure, Google's technology exposure on the Apple platform provides global recognition of its model's reliability.
The Challenges of Antitrust Regulation
However, this partnership between the two giants also has the potential to attract the attention of antitrust regulators in the United States and Europe. The fact is, a collaboration between two major competitors in the areas of search and hardware could be seen as limiting competition in the AI sector.
Industry observers believe that transparency in the allocation of roles and data will be the key to ensuring that this agreement does not violate competition law.
Global Impact and Indonesia
This Apple-Google collaboration will have a wide impact on users around the world, including Indonesia.
Siri is smarter on the Indonesian iPhone
With new AI technology, Siri is expected to be faster, more contextual, and more natural in its interactions. Improvements in language capabilities can also broaden Siri's support for local languages, including Indonesian.
This could strengthen the iPhone user experience in Indonesia, especially in using navigation, messaging, and the increasingly responsive personal assistant features.
Opportunities for the local technology ecosystem
For Indonesian technology companies and startups, such a major collaboration is an important signal. The AI world is now moving toward a model based on strategic partnerships, where large companies become infrastructure providers, while others focus on application innovation and local integration.
Startups and digital MSMEs in Indonesia can take advantage of this trend by developingcustom AI solutionsthat is integrated with large models such as Gemini or GPT.
Privacy and Data Ethics
Privacy issues remain a global concern. Indonesian users need to ensure that Siri updates do not alter local data policy or clash with national digital privacy regulations.
Apple promises that all Siri data processing will continue to follow high-level security principles, for both global and local users.
A New Era of Voice Assistants and Consumer AI
The Apple-Google agreement marks a new era in AI integration into consumer devices. Voice assistants are no longer merely an add-on feature, but a core component of the interface of the future.
With an AI model as large as1.2 trillion parameters, Siri has the potential to move up from mere voice recognition to a system that understands the user's context and intent.
However, this collaboration also serves as a reminder that even a company as large as Apple would need cross-giant synergy to compete in the global AI revolution.
Apple's step to enter into a valuable agreementUS$1 billion per year with Google.To strengthen Siri is an important signal that the AI industry is entering a phase of consolidation.
Although temporary, this partnership opens a new chapter for the future of digital assistants that are smarter, faster, and more personal.
For users and industry players in Indonesia, this change should be approached with enthusiasm and adaptive strategies because the smart digital ecosystem is no longer the future, but the reality being built today.
