Apple, Google and OpenAI: What the Siri AI Decision Really Means

Apple has made its most consequential AI decision yet—and it didn’t back OpenAI. By choosing Google’s Gemini to power the next generation of Siri, Apple has signalled a major shift in how Big Tech thinks about AI leadership, reliability and control. Here’s why it matters.

What exactly did Apple announce?

Apple confirmed a multi-year partnership with Google to use Gemini AI models for its revamped Siri and “Apple Intelligence” features. The new AI-powered Siri will roll out later this spring as part of upcoming iOS updates.

Why is this a big deal?

Because Apple bypassed OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, to choose Google as the core intelligence behind Siri’s biggest upgrade in years. It marks a rare strategic win for Google, and a setback for OpenAI.

Does this mean Apple has ditched OpenAI completely?

No, but OpenAI’s role has clearly been downgraded. Apple says users will still be able to access ChatGPT for select queries, but Gemini will serve as Siri’s primary “brain.” In effect, OpenAI shifts from strategic partner to optional add-on.

Why did Apple choose Google over OpenAI?

Apple ran extensive internal evaluations starting last summer, testing models from Anthropic, OpenAI and Google. It built multiple internal versions and stress-tested them against Apple’s quality benchmarks. Google’s Gemini won, reportedly because of four reasons. First, it reportedly performed better under sustained testing. Second, Google trained a custom Gemini model for Apple. Third, it could run securely on Apple’s own servers. Fourth, Google offered scale, stability and long-term infrastructure.

Did OpenAI stumble at the wrong time?

Yes. Industry reports suggest GPT-5, released in August, failed to impress many users, who cited colder responses and weaker handling of simple queries. Meanwhile, Google’s Gemini 3, launched in November, topped several industry benchmarks, boosting confidence in Google’s AI trajectory.

How much is this deal worth?

Apple is expected to pay around $1 billion per year for access to Gemini. This adds to the estimated $20 billion annually Google already pays Apple to remain Safari’s default search engine, deepening one of Silicon Valley’s most lucrative partnerships.

What about user privacy, which is Apple’s biggest concern?

Apple says Gemini will operate on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute servers, keeping user data out of Google’s core infrastructure. Google, for its part, says privacy is central to its new Personal Intelligence feature, with app connections turned off by default.

Why is this such a blow to OpenAI?

Because scale alone didn’t win. Despite ChatGPT’s 800 million weekly users, Apple chose a rival, even one that also competes with Apple in smartphones. It suggests that when reliability, integration and risk matter most, OpenAI isn’t yet seen as the safest long-term bet.

What does this reveal about Big Tech’s AI strategy?

It signals a shift away from owning everything. Apple tried building its own AI stack but found it unreliable at Apple-level standards. The new playbook is clear: plug into the best AI, customise it deeply, and keep control of the user experience.

(yMedia is the content partner for this story)