Apple to use Google's AI model to run new Siri, Bloomberg News reports

(Reuters) -Apple plans to use a 1.2 trillion-parameter artificial intelligence model developed by Alphabet's Google to help power a revamp of its Siri voice assistant, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday. After an evaluation, the companies are finalizing a deal that would have Apple pay about $1 billion a year for access to Google's technology, the report said. The iPhone maker will use Google's Gemini model as a stopgap until its own systems are ready, Bloomberg reported. The model's 1.2 trillion parameters, a measure of AI model complexity, would dwarf Apple's current systems. Siri has historically been less capable than Alexa and Google Assistant at handling complex, multi-step requests and integrating with third‑party apps. Google had no comment, while Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. The deal is separate from earlier discussions about integrating Gemini directly into Siri as a chatbot, the report said. The partnership will not bring Google AI search into Apple's operating systems. In March, Apple said AI improvements to Siri would be delayed until 2026, and did not give a reason for the setback. Rivals have rushed to add AI features to their voice assistants, with Google adding its Gemini model to its assistant last year and Amazon rolling out an AI-driven overhaul of the Alexa assistant earlier this year. Apple shook up its executive ranks to get its AI efforts back on track after months of delays, resulting in Mike Rockwell taking charge of Siri, as CEO Tim Cook lost confidence in AI head John Giannandrea's ability to execute on product development, Bloomberg had reported in March. (Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Tasim Zahid)

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