Media & Culture

Apple might use Google servers to store data for its upgraded AI Siri

Apple reportedly asked Google to set up servers for its upcoming AI Siri, signaling a major infrastructure shift.

Deep Dive

Apple is reportedly deepening its AI partnership with Google beyond just licensing models, with The Information reporting that Apple has asked Google to 'set up servers' for a new, Gemini-powered version of Siri. This move would mark a significant shift for Apple, which has historically been conservative in cloud infrastructure spending compared to rivals like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. The report suggests Apple is leaning more heavily on Google's cloud technology to accelerate its AI capabilities, particularly for the delayed Siri upgrade announced in January. This server arrangement would supplement Apple's existing Private Cloud Compute infrastructure, indicating the company may be prioritizing speed to market over complete infrastructure independence.

The technical details reveal Apple's current AI infrastructure is underutilized, with The Information reporting only 10% of its Private Cloud Compute capacity is used on average. While Apple's original partnership announcement stated its foundation models would be 'based on Google's Gemini models and cloud technology,' it didn't specify if Siri would run on Google's cloud. This new server setup would represent a more integrated approach. For users, this could mean a more powerful and personalized Siri arriving sooner, but it also raises questions about data routing and Apple's long-term AI infrastructure strategy as it navigates catching up in the competitive AI landscape.

Key Points
  • Apple asked Google to set up servers for its upcoming Gemini-powered Siri, per The Information report
  • Apple's own Private Cloud Compute infrastructure is reportedly underutilized, with only 10% capacity in use
  • The move signals Apple's infrastructure conservatism as it races to catch up to AI rivals like Microsoft

Why It Matters

A faster, more capable Siri could arrive sooner, but Apple's reliance on Google's cloud marks a strategic shift in its AI approach.