Apple iPhone may soon use Google Gemini for generative AI features

Apple has already made it clear that AI is expected to be a big part of its next major software update for iPhone – iOS 18. With most newer iPhones powered by an NPU alongside Apple’s processors, a suite of AI features may just be what Apple needs to rival Samsung’s Galaxy AI features. Now, it seems Apple may use Google’s best AI tool for the same.

As per a Bloomberg report, who is usually spot on when it comes to predicting iPhone features, Apple may be negotiating with Google, the use of its Gemini LLM for generative AI features.

How Apple could benefit from some Gemini power

The collaboration could help iPhones do tasks like create small or long text copies, generate images based on text prompts and much more. Similar to Galaxy AI features, the implementation could be a system-level integration between iOS and Gemini, possibly fortifying Apple’s already strong system-wide integration with some AI power.

ALSO READ: iOS 18 could be Apple’s biggest update yet

The negotiations, if true, also likely point at Google’s Gemini being more powerful than whatever in-house language model Apple has been cooking up. If reports are to be believed, Apple had been working on Ajax, its own LLM, along with a form of early access chatbot called Apple GPT.

That said, Apple’s partnership with Google Gemini may just be a bridge built until Apple refines its own AI tools. The tech giant followed a similar strategy with its MacBooks, which for years were powered by Intel chipsets before switching to Apple’s in-house silicon.

The report also mentions that a conclusive deal between Apple and Google is unlikely to be negotiated before June this year. Interestingly, this would likely be after Apple would have officially announced iOS 18 at its annual WWDC event, which again, usually takes place in May.

What’s in it for Google?

Google’s Gemini AI isn’t exactly an unknown tool, and is used by many alongside big names like OpenAI’s ChatGPT right now. However, with Gemini powering the Apple iPhone, the service would we used on a much wider scale, given the iPhones’ roughly two billion-strong user base.

Like most AI models, users generally equal more data to work on for the model to refine itself over time. While it’s unlikely that Google will have unrestricted free access to a Gemini-powered iPhone’s user-data, the companies may have a workaround that allows Gemini to grow more powerful using iPhone usage, while adhering to Apple’s strict privacy standards.

ALSO READ: Google warns users against sharing personal information with Google Gemini

Meanwhile, Apple iPhone users can use Google Gemini AI on the surface level anyway, which is great if all you want to do is use a Chatbot to cook up excuses for being late to office. Here’s how to use Gemini AI on your iPhone via the Google app.