Tech giant Apple is reportedly in talks with Google to integrate Gemini’s artificial intelligence (AI) engine into the iPhone, reported Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, citing people familiar with the situation.
Apple May Bring Google’s Gemini AI To iPhone
Gurman claims that the two companies are in “active negotiations” to license Gemini’s family of generative large-language models (LLMs) so that it can power new capabilities and features in iOS 18, the upcoming version of the iPhone operating system due to be released later this year.
According to the report’s sources, “the two parties haven’t decided the terms or branding of an AI agreement or finalized how it would be implemented.”
Apple is rumored to bring major new AI capabilities to its upcoming iPhone iOS 18 powered by its own homegrown AI models. One of the biggest highlights of this AI push is the more powerful version of Siri, Apple’s digital assistant for iPhone. In addition, several Apple apps, such as Apple Music, Keynote, Pages, and even AppleCare, are also expected to incorporate AI.
According to Gurman, Apple is focusing on AI features that operate on its own devices instead of the cloud, such as the Gemini app for Android. This means the company will power some of the on-device features with its own AI models.
However, the report said the Cupertino-based tech giant is looking for a partner like Google to power additional cloud-based generative AI features, including functions for creating images and writing essays based on simple prompts.
The report added that it is unlikely that any deal will be reached between Apple and Google over using Gemini AI until June when Apple plans to hold the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024. On the other hand, in the event a deal is reached, we could see iOS 18 arrive with AI features backed by Gemini.
It should be noted that the discussions between Apple and Google are in the early stages. The Cupertino tech giant also has recently held talks with Microsoft-backed OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, about potentially using its GPT models in its products.
