Elon Musk calls Apple’s Google Gemini deal “unreasonable” as AI rivalry heats up

• What happened: Apple confirmed a multi-year deal with Google to use Gemini AI models for next-gen Siri and Apple Intelligence features.

• Why it matters now: The move positions Google at the center of Apple’s AI rollout, raising questions about platform control, competition, and privacy.

• What changes for people: Future iPhone, iPad, and Mac users will see more advanced AI assistance and features powered by Gemini, with Apple promising on-device privacy safeguards.

• Who is affected: The deal impacts Big Tech rivals, AI developers, app ecosystem operators, and millions of Apple users.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has criticised Apple’s latest AI partnership with Google, calling the arrangement an “unreasonable concentration of power” in the hands of a single tech platform. The comments came shortly after Google confirmed a multi-year agreement to provide Gemini models and cloud infrastructure for Apple’s upcoming AI features.

Apple picks Gemini for next-gen Siri capabilities

Under the agreement, Apple’s next wave of Apple Foundation Models will integrate Google’s Gemini AI, which is expected to power a more personalized version of Siri and other Apple Intelligence tools scheduled for release later this year.

In a joint statement, both companies said Apple chose Google after “careful evaluation”, describing Gemini as the most capable system for its current AI roadmap. Apple added that its features would continue to operate through on-device processing supported by its Private Cloud Compute system, highlighting its commitment to user privacy.

Musk pushes back as AI competitive tensions rise

Responding on X, Musk argued the partnership strengthens Google’s influence across multiple layers of global tech. He highlighted Google’s existing dominance of Android, Chrome, and core internet infrastructure as reasons the deal is problematic.

The criticism comes amid a broader legal and competitive backdrop. Musk’s AI startup xAI is currently suing Apple and OpenAI over earlier integrations that brought ChatGPT into Siri as an optional assistant. Musk has previously claimed Apple’s App Store rules make it harder for competing AI assistants, including xAI’s Grok, to gain fair visibility.

Why Apple looked outside for AI

Industry analysts note that Siri has long trailed Alexa and Google Assistant in handling more complex and contextual queries. According to Reuters, Apple views Gemini as a temporary enabler while it accelerates its in-house AI development.

Separate reporting from Bloomberg estimates the collaboration could cost Apple around USD 1 billion annually, reflecting the scale of cloud compute and data capabilities involved.

Apple had already signed a deal with OpenAI in 2024, but insiders say the Gemini agreement gives Apple greater long-term control over the AI stack used in its ecosystem.

What won’t change under the deal

Apple clarified that the partnership:

• does not integrate Gemini as a full chatbot replacement

• does not bring Google search into Siri

• remains separate from earlier discussions around deeper Gemini integration

The arrangement focuses strictly on model capabilities and infrastructure, not Google's broader search or advertising ecosystem.