New Siri Chatbot Expected to Operate on Google, Not Apple Servers
Bloomberg’s recent reporting highlights significant changes in Apple’s strategy for the Siri chatbot, particularly regarding its hosting. According to Mark Gurman, Apple is in discussions with Google to operate the next-generation Siri models on Google’s servers, instead of Apple’s own infrastructure.
New Siri Chatbot to Utilize Google Servers
The upcoming updates to Siri aim to integrate advanced chatbot features through iOS 27. These features will be powered by Gemini 3 models, which promise superior performance compared to previous iterations. However, this shift signifies a notable departure from Apple’s original vision of maintaining user privacy with their Private Cloud Compute.
Current Developments with Siri
- iOS 26.4: Expected to introduce initial new Large Language Model (LLM) features for Siri.
- Gemini Technology: Siri’s future models will leverage the latest Gemini 3 AI technology.
- Cloud Infrastructure: Discussion of using Google’s expansive cloud resources for processing requests.
This shift may arise from the recognition that Apple’s current Private Compute cloud does not deliver the required performance for modern AI applications. By routing user interactions through Google’s infrastructure, Apple aims to provide a more responsive and capable Siri chatbot experience.
Philosophical Shift in Apple’s Approach
Historically, Apple has emphasized the importance of privacy and security regarding user data. The collaboration with Google marks a change in this philosophy as they transition to a model that relies more heavily on external cloud services. Notably, previous leadership had asserted a commitment to keep as much processing as possible within their own systems.
Pressure is mounting for Apple to enhance Siri’s functionality rapidly, especially in light of competing products like ChatGPT. As such, the new leadership for Siri, including Craig Federighi and former Vision Pro executive Mike Rockwell, seem to prioritize practicality over idealism.
Ensuring User Privacy
Despite utilizing Google’s cloud, Apple is reportedly negotiating terms to safeguard sensitive user data. Apple aims to ensure that user interactions remain siloed from Google’s advertising and data collection mechanisms. In the past, certain iCloud services have relied on external providers like Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services, maintaining user data encryption under Apple’s control.
As of 2021, it was noted that Google’s cloud hosted approximately 8 exabytes of iCloud data. This partnership has been crucial for the functionality and scalability of Apple’s services, providing users with reliable access to features such as iCloud Photos.
As Apple prepares for these changes, it will be interesting to see how the integration of Google’s technology significantly impacts the future of Siri.
