Apple could turn to the Google Gemini AI model to power the AI functions of iOS 18 and its upcoming iPhones. Such a partnership would obviously raise many questions.
Although Apple is not very talkative on the subject, the Cupertino company is obviously aware that artificial intelligence is a major trend today in the world of tech. It appears everywhere in several forms and with several uses (and concerns). It would therefore not be a surprise to see AI eventually carve out a prominent place in the iPhone. However, Google Gemini could play a major role in this.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly negotiating with Google to be able to use its Gemini model. The idea would be to be able to exploit its generative AI capabilities to power new software features on the iPhone this year. And so a priori on the new iPhone 16 and 16 Pro expected at the start of the school year.
If the two firms manage to reach an agreement, it would strengthen their already existing partnership. Bloomberg recalls that the Mountain View company has long paid Apple so that Google is the default search engine on the Safari browser.
An admission of weakness?
If the negotiations are successful, the two companies would significantly shake up the sector and this would open up several discussions. First of all, deep integration of Google Gemini into iOS 18 – and the plethora of iPhones that will benefit from it – would give it a significant advantage over competing AI models. There are approximately two billion active devices in Apple’s fleet.
Some would also see it as an admission of weakness on the part of Apple, which has been left behind on the issue of artificial intelligence. Even though the group has started to double down on AI, it still has work to do to catch up. However, Apple has clearly suggested that iOS 18 will offer generative AI from 2024. We must therefore make the necessary decisions to achieve this objective.
Two giants and competition
Finally, let us not forget that such a merger between two tech multinationals — considered as “ gatekeepers ” Or “access controllers» in Europe — would inevitably attract the attention of competition regulators.
Moreover,Bloombergindicates that Apple would also have opened discussions with the OpenAI teams for ChatGPT, but without giving more information on this subject. One thing is certain, WWDC 2024 – Apple’s conference dedicated to developers – is going to be very interesting to follow. The event is always packed with software announcements.