A new leak suggests Apple is preparing to integrate Google’s Gemini AI model into Apple Intelligence, expanding its third-party AI options beyond OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This move, uncovered in backend code from the latest iOS 18.4 beta, hints that Apple is looking to provide iPhone users with more choice when it comes to artificial smarts.
Despite Apple Intelligence offering advanced contextual assistance, it does not have a proprietary AI model to rival ChatGPT or Gemini. By integrating both with Siri, Apple ensures that iPhones remain competitive in an era where AI-powered tools are becoming increasingly popular. Currently, users have to install the Google Gemini app to use these features on an iPhone or iPad. Full support would allow Siri access to Gemini in the same way it can already access ChatGPT, as seen below.
Apple’s other option would be to eventually build Siri into a full-fledged large language model, and although it certainly has the resources it seems unlikely in the short term. Apple’s commitment to privacy could hamper development, especially compared with rivals that aren’t so worried about unceremoniously scraping the web for data to absorb. Instead, Apple appears to be prioritizing partnerships that allow users to access best-in-class AI models while maintaining its control over device integration and privacy.
For users unfamiliar with AI models, it’s important to note that different systems excel at different tasks. Some may offer better conversational capabilities, while others specialize in reasoning, creativity, or real-time data access. There’s also the issue of familiarity and trust with Google and OpenAI – everyone’s views will be different. By providing multiple options, Apple ensures that users can choose the AI that best fits their needs, rather than being locked into a single system.
Apple has a history of collaborating with Google despite their longstanding rivalry, so a partnership involving Gemini wouldn’t be unprecedented. While the timing of full Gemini integration remains unclear, it could arrive in a later iOS 18 update or with iOS 19 this fall, alongside Apple’s planned Siri enhancements.