Apple tests Siri AI search with Google Gemini

Apple plans an AI powered web search inside Siri and may rely on Google Gemini to run it, per Bloomberg.

Apple taps Google Gemini to power Siri AI search

Apple is developing an AI powered web search inside Siri. Bloomberg, citing Mark Gurman, says Google is leading the effort to run the underlying AI model on Apple’s servers, with a custom Gemini variant in play. The feature, called World Knowledge Answers internally, would present AI generated summaries from the web and blend text, photos, videos, and points of interest to compete with OpenAI and Perplexity.

The system architecture reportedly has three parts: a planner to interpret prompts, a search system to gather data from the web or the user, and a summarizer to package results for the user. Apple is also weighing Anthropic’s Claude and Gemini for Siri’s planning function. A formal agreement with Google reportedly covers testing the Gemini based summaries, while Apple plans to use its own AI for searching user data. The upgrade line up includes an AI enhanced Siri alongside iOS 26.4, with a potential launch as early as next March together with the iPhone 17 lineup.

The move signals Apple’s push to reclaim a more capable voice assistant without losing control of the user experience. Relying on Google for the heavy lifting could speed development, but it raises questions about data sharing, privacy, and how much control Apple retains over Siri’s intelligence. The shift also tightens the race among big tech firms to own the interface for web search and personal data. If Apple balances on device processing with cloud based AI, it could set a new standard for privacy aware AI while inviting regulatory scrutiny over data handling and antitrust concerns.

Beyond Siri, the collaboration points to a broader industry trend: AI infused into everyday tools is moving from novelty to expectation. Apple’s choice to test Gemini and Claude for planning hints at a modular approach, where users notice the output but not the underlying partners. The challenge will be to preserve user trust as features gain access to more personal data across apps and surfaces while delivering reliable, safe results.

Highlights

The next chapter for Siri will test how smoothly AI and personal data can weave together.