• TWEAK
• Smartphone

Apple is considering Google's Gemini for iPhone AI

Translate from : Apple overvejer Googles Gemini til iPhone AI

According to a report from Bloomberg News, Apple is in talks to incorporate Google's Gemini artificial intelligence engine into the iPhone. They cite sources familiar with the situation. The talks, according to the report, revolve around licensing Gemini for some new features coming to the iPhone software later this year.

The terms of an AI deal or how it would be implemented have not been decided. Alphabet shares rose more than 6 percent in early U.S. trading, while Apple gained 2.5 percent. A deal is unlikely to be announced before June, when Apple plans to hold its annual developer conference.

According to the report, the iPhone maker has also recently held talks with OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, about using their model. A potential deal between the two firms could help Google expand the use of its AI services to over 2 billion. active Apple devices. This would bolster the search giant's efforts to catch up with OpenAI.

Also, it could help ease investor concerns about the slow rollout of AI apps from Apple, which has lost its title as the world's most valuable company after a 10 percent drop in shares this year. Apple and Google have a partnership that makes Google the default search engine in Apple's Safari web browser. A collaboration around AI could help Google's unit navigate fears that services like ChatGPT could threaten its search dominance.

However, such a deal could also attract sharper scrutiny from US regulators, who have sued Google alleging it illegally hindered competition by paying Apple billions of dollars to maintain its search monopoly.

"This strategic partnership is a missing piece in Apple's AI strategy and joins forces with Google around Gemini to power some of the AI capabilities Apple brings to market," said Daniel Ives, an analyst at Wedbush. "It's a big win for Google to get into the Apple ecosystem and get access to Cupertino's golden installed base with clearly a big license fee attached to this," he added, referring to Apple's headquarters in California.

In January, Google partnered with Apple's rival Samsung to implement its GenAI technology in the South Korean company's Galaxy S24 series of smartphones. Apple CEO Tim Cook said last month that the company was investing "significantly" in generative AI and would reveal more about its plans to use the technology later this year.

According to the Bloomberg report, Apple plans to use its own AI models for some new features in the upcoming iOS 18, but is looking for a partner to power GenAI features, including features to create images and write essays based on simple prompts.