According to Bloomberg News, Apple is currently engaged in discussions to integrate Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence engine into the iPhone.
iPhone 15 Pro – illustrative photo. Image credit: Sophia Stark via Unsplash, free license
Citing individuals familiar with the matter, the report suggests that negotiations are underway regarding the licensing of Gemini for incorporating new features into the iPhone software expected to debut this year.
However, specifics regarding the terms of the agreement, branding, or implementation methods have yet to be finalized.
Any potential deal is unlikely to be announced until Apple’s annual developers’ conference in June. Additionally, the report indicates that Apple has also explored utilizing the model developed by OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, in recent discussions.
The prospect of a collaboration between these companies holds significant implications. For Google, such a partnership could extend the reach of its AI services to over 2 billion active Apple devices, thereby supporting its efforts to compete with Microsoft.
Furthermore, this deal (if made) could address concerns among investors regarding Apple’s sluggish introduction of AI applications. Apple’s shares have experienced a 10% decline this year, resulting in the loss of its status as the world’s most valuable firm.
The two companies have maintained a longstanding partnership, with Google serving as the default search engine on Apple’s Safari web browser. A potential collaboration in the realm of generative AI, such as the genAI tie-up, could provide Alphabet’s Google with a strategic advantage, particularly amid concerns that emerging services like ChatGPT might pose a threat to its dominance in search.
Apple’s CEO Tim Cook revealed plans to make significant investments in generative AI, with intentions to unveil more details about its utilization later this year. Although Apple reportedly intends to leverage its proprietary AI models for certain functionalities in the upcoming iOS 18, the company is seeking a partner to power genAI features, including capabilities for generating images and composing essays based on simple prompts.
Written by Alius Noreika