Apple is taking a giant leap forward with an ambitious plan to skyrocket Siri’s effectiveness – and it’s taking Google’s acclaimed Gemini AI along for the ride. Reports suggest the tech titan is planning to spruce up its virtual assistant by integrating a custom model of Google’s advanced AI system Gemini, at the staggering cost of $1 billion annually, as per a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This collaboration is intended to significantly upgrade the next-generation Siri, extending its capabilities with a touch of advanced AI.
The power behind this impressive upgrade lies in the custom Gemini model’s vast capacity. Containing an astounding 1.2 trillion parameters, it dwarfs the 150 billion-parameter model currently in use with Apple’s cloud-based intelligence system. But what does this mean for Apple users? These parameters play a crucial role in allowing the AI to understand context better, summarize information accurately, and provide aid with more complex tasks, so it could result in an unprecedentedly responsive and helpful Siri.
Importantly, while this is a bold maneuver blending in the innovation by Google, Apple remains committed to its emphasis on privacy. With the Gemini model being run on its Private Cloud Compute infrastructure, and some of Siri’s functions being powered by Apple’s proprietary AI models, the company ensures that data management remains consonant with its robust commitment to user privacy.
This Gemini integration comes in the wake of Apple’s previous setbacks with the AI enhancement of Siri. The tech monster had reportedly considered collaborating with OpenAI or Anthropic before finally setting its sights on Google. In addition to this move being Paramount for Siri’s modernization, it marks an attempt to catch up with, and possibly outpace the AI advancements of rival platforms.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced that the revamp of Siri, enhanced with the newly integrated AI, is set to hit the market in the spring. He also gave a sneak peek into future plans indicating the potential of further integration with third-party AI technologies, which could position Apple Intelligence as a more open ecosystem. But getting Google on board doesn’t mean the company is abandoning its internal AI development. In fact, Apple’s insistence on continuing to build its in-house AI technologies suggests that a fully self-sufficient solution might be in the works.
Apple’s vision for Siri extends beyond a simple chatbot. Their aim seems to revolve around providing users with a more context-aware, intelligent assistant that can handle both casual and complex tasks with relative ease. This move marks a significant step in that direction, making Siri more than just a virtual assistant.
Interested in the nitty-gritty? Check out the full story on The Verge.
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