By People familiar with the situation reveal that Apple is discussing incorporating Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence engine into the iPhone, potentially paving the way for a groundbreaking agreement that could disrupt the AI industry.
Apple in Negotiations to License Google’s Gemini AI for iPhone Features
- Active negotiations between the two companies are underway, aiming for Apple to license Gemini, Google’s suite of generative AI models, to enable upcoming features in iPhone software this year.
- Sources familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions, disclosed that Apple has also explored talks with OpenAI and contemplated utilizing its model.
- Should a deal materialize between Apple and Google, it would further strengthen the existing search partnership between the two tech giants. Google has been paying Apple billions of dollars each year to ensure its search engine remains the default choice in Safari on iPhones. However, the exact terms, branding, and implementation of an AI agreement have yet to be decided, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The potential collaboration would grant Gemini a substantial advantage, opening access to billions of prospective users. However, it also suggests that Apple’s advancements in AI may not be as advanced as anticipated, potentially inviting heightened scrutiny from antitrust regulators.
Apple is gearing up to introduce new functionalities within iOS 18, leveraging its proprietary AI models. However, these enhancements will primarily focus on on-device features rather than cloud-based services. Consequently, Apple is exploring partnerships to delegate the heavy lifting of generalized AI tasks, such as image generation and essay writing based on prompts.
Representatives from Apple, Google, and OpenAI declined to provide comments. Apple has been quietly testing its own large language model, internally known as Ajax, since early last year. However, sources indicate that Apple’s AI technology still lags behind offerings from Google and other competitors, making collaboration a more attractive proposition.
