Apple negotiates with Google for AI capabilities on iPhone

Apple is in talks to integrate Google's Gemini artificial intelligence engine into the iPhone, laying the groundwork for a deal that would shake up the artificial intelligence industry. Bloomberg reports that the two companies are negotiating to allow Apple to license Gemini, Google's set of generative artificial intelligence models, to power some new features coming to iPhone software in 2024. Apple has also recently been in discussions with OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, considering using its model, Bloomberg added.

Apple is preparing new features as part of its upcoming iPhone iOS 18 based on its own internal artificial intelligence models, but is looking for a partner to enhance functionality in the generative part, including those for creating images and writing essays based on simple instructions, Bloomberg added, citing anonymous sources close to the dossier. The Cupertino-based company and Google have not decided on the terms or branding of an artificial intelligence deal, nor finalised yet how it would be implemented, but "it is unlikely that a deal will be announced until June, when Apple plans to hold its annual global developer conference". Both companies have an existing agreement for Google to become the default search engine on Apple's Safari web browser. Apple's group has been slower to implement generative artificial intelligence, capable of generating human-like responses to written instructions, than rivals Microsoft and Google, and also against the Chinese giants, which are very fierce in the field. Just in February, Apple's number one Tim Cook stated that the company expects to reveal more details about its plans to use generative artificial intelligence by the end of the year, adding that the company is investing 'significantly' in the area.