Katarzyna Petru
Not long ago, Apple assured that the new Siri based on Gemini models would operate under the full control of the Cupertino infrastructure. Now, there are reports that some processing may go directly to Google's data centers. This is a potential twist in the "privacy-first" narrative that Apple has made the foundation of its marketing strategy.
Siri on Google servers?
According to reports from The Information, Apple has reached out to Google to explore the possibility of running servers that support the future version of Siri on Google's Cloud infrastructure. So far, Apple has emphasized that data processing within Apple Intelligence occurs locally on the device or within a Private Cloud Compute based on Apple Silicon servers. It now appears that their own resources might not be sufficient. Interestingly, sources indicate that only about 10% of the computing power of Private Cloud Compute is being used, and some AI servers are still waiting to be installed. At the same time, Apple has been phasing out older infrastructure based on Nvidia technologies, which may have weakened its readiness for the AI boom.
Why Apple May Need Google?
The AI market has accelerated at a pace that Apple, traditionally focused on hardware and user experience, may not have underestimated. For the new Siri to compete with chatbots and assistants based on large language models, it needs enormous computing power. Today, this is primarily possessed at scale by cloud providers such as Google and Amazon. Importantly, Sundar Pichai confirmed during the Alphabet teleconference that Google is working with Apple as a “preferred cloud provider” in the development of Apple Foundation Models based on Gemini. Meanwhile, Tim Cook publicly maintains that user data will continue to be processed on-device and in Private Cloud Compute.
Privacy Under Pressure
Collaboration with Google is not extraordinary in itself; Apple has been using external suppliers for years. The problem lies in the image. The company markets its devices as uncompromising in terms of privacy. If at least part of Siri's processing ends up on Google's infrastructure, Apple will have to explain very precisely how it secures user data and whether it maintains full control over its processing.
Gemini in Siri is not just a technological update, but a potential change in Apple's philosophy in the AI area. If the reports are confirmed, Siri may in the future utilize Google's computing power. However, the real challenge will not be the collaboration itself, but maintaining the promise of privacy, which has been a cornerstone of the Apple brand for years.
source: Official communications from Apple
