Apple is reportedly in talks with Google to combine its Gemini AI in iPhones, Bloomberg experiences, a transfer that ought to assist each firms compete with OpenAI and its (closely invested) companion Microsoft. Whereas it would seem to be an admission that Apple is lagging behind on AI, the partnership matches should you consider generative AI fashions as an evolution of internet looking out, one thing Google already offers to all of Apple’s gadgets. Based on the report, Gemini may very well be the cloud-based generative AI engine for Siri and different iPhone apps, whereas Apple’s fashions may very well be woven into the upcoming iOS 18 for on-device AI duties.
Bloomberg notes that Apple has additionally had discussions with OpenAI about utilizing its personal fashions, and it may nonetheless find yourself partnering with one other AI outfit, like Anthropic. Apple may conceivably even work with a number of companions till its personal generative fashions are as much as snuff. However teaming up with Google makes probably the most sense, particularly for the reason that search big is already giving Apple hundreds of thousands to deliver search to the Safari browser.
Apple wants some type of generative AI resolution that it will possibly implement this yr (its personal Ajax mannequin will seemingly take years to match Gemini and OpenAI), and Google wants a fast option to deliver its AI smarts to billions of gadgets.
There are regulatory issues to contemplate — the Division of Justice has already sued Google over its search dominance, together with the best way it pays Apple and different firms to make use of its search engine. However given the specter of Microsoft and OpenAI’s partnership — which turned the Bing search engine into a man-made intelligence hype machine in a single day, and is now powering all of Microsoft’s Copilot AI options — the potential good points may very well be well worth the threat for Apple and Google.
There are nonetheless technical points for Google to cope with too: Gemini was not too long ago underneath fireplace for inaccurately rendering historic pictures. However even contemplating potential rising pains, a partnership with Apple helps each firms. And it additionally offers Apple room to develop its personal fashions whereas OpenAI and Google cope with the rising pains of generative AI.
