Siri’s delayed AI upgrades are still expected to ship next spring in iOS 26.4, and a new report this week about Google’s tech powering the features might be exactly what Apple and its users need.

Siri’s AI upgrades are coming with the help of Google

Apple’s inability to ship the Siri upgrades it promised in iOS 18 has been embarrassing for the company. But all signs point to those enhancements coming soon, supplemented by even better improvements than what was promised.

And this week, Bloomberg reported that Apple is finalizing a deal with Google that will enable a custom Google LLM to power the new Siri features.

Mark Gurman writes:

Apple Inc. is planning to use a 1.2 trillion parameter artificial intelligence model developed by Alphabet Inc.’s Google to help power its long-promised overhaul of the Siri voice assistant, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The iPhone maker is banking on Google’s help to rebuild Siri’s underlying technology, setting the stage for a new slate of features next year. The Google model’s 1.2 trillion parameters — a measure of the AI software’s complexity — would dwarf the level of Apple’s current models.

Reactions to this news have been all over the place. Some are celebrating, others are concerned about privacy implications, and still others see this deal as yet another sign of Apple’s AI weakness.

Personally, I lean toward optimism.

While it would be great if Apple was able to deliver the best possible AI-infused Siri without outside help, that’s clearly not the case right now.

But by striking this deal, Apple could give itself and its users exactly what’s needed.

New Siri will be a win for Apple and users alike

Whether you agree with the sentiment or not, there’s a common belief that Apple is behind in AI.

Tim Cook defended his company’s AI position last year with a common Apple refrain: “Not first, but best.”

It’s not unusual for Apple to take extra time refining and perfecting its work while competitors ship subpar offerings.

Clearly though, Apple Intelligence hasn’t gotten anywhere close to that “best” standard yet.

But by striking this deal with Google, Apple has bought itself more time.

The company has been under immense pressure to deliver its long-promised AI version of Siri. With Google’s help, it will do so in just a few months.

Shipping the new Siri will benefit Apple, since it can continue working away on its own in-house models with lower stakes. And it will also benefit users, who just want the best Siri product.

Most users likely won’t have any idea that Google’s tech is powering the new Siri features—and they wouldn’t care if they did know.

Apple’s deal with Google reportedly ensures the company holds to its high privacy standards. So from a user standpoint, all that will matter is Siri becoming more powerful and reliable than ever.

Apple can ship its major AI overhaul for Siri, delivering what users have long wanted, while continuing to work behind the scenes to improve its in-house LLMs. Everybody wins.

What’s your take on the Apple-Google deal to power the new Siri? Let us know in the comments.

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