Report: Apple Asks Google to Run Siri on Its Servers

Apple Turns to Google for Cloud Support as Siri’s AI Ambitions Grow

In a surprising move that underscores the scale of Apple’s AI ambitions, the Cupertino giant has reportedly asked Google to host a future version of Siri on its cloud infrastructure. According to The Information, Apple is exploring the possibility of running a Gemini-powered Siri directly on Google’s servers, signaling a significant shift in how the company plans to handle its growing AI workload.

Currently, Apple relies on its own Private Cloud Compute system to process more complex AI queries. Built on Apple Silicon chips, this in-house cloud solution runs on servers owned and operated by Apple. On average, only about 10% of this capacity is being used at any given time—a figure that suggests the company has been cautious in scaling up its infrastructure. In fact, many of the servers intended for Apple’s AI cloud system are still sitting in warehouses, uninstalled and unused.

That could soon change. With a next-generation Siri, powered by Google’s Gemini AI, expected to launch later this year, Apple anticipates a massive surge in cloud computing demand. The new Siri is rumored to be far more capable than its current iteration, potentially handling more complex queries, real-time language processing, and even multimodal interactions. If realized, this could push Apple’s cloud needs well beyond its current capacity.

The situation highlights a deeper issue within Apple’s organizational culture. For years, the company has prioritized hardware and consumer-facing features over the cloud technologies that support them. This has led to a reluctance to invest heavily in cloud infrastructure, despite the explosive growth of Apple’s services business. The departure of key cloud experts, such as Patrick Gates—who pioneered the concept of using Apple chips in data centers—has only compounded the problem.

When Apple finally recognized the need for robust cloud support for its AI initiatives, it found its internal infrastructure in a state of decay. The company was in the process of decommissioning older Nvidia-powered servers, and financial pressures pushed it to increasingly rely on third-party providers like Amazon Web Services.

For years, Apple had banned its AI engineers from using Google’s cloud technologies due to privacy concerns. Craig Federighi, Apple’s software chief, repeatedly vetoed Google Cloud as an option for AI computing. However, in 2023, Google made changes to its security systems that satisfied Apple’s stringent privacy requirements. Since then, Apple has begun adopting Google’s cloud infrastructure for its artificial intelligence workloads.

The challenges with Private Cloud Compute are not just about capacity. The system is also slower to update compared to other cloud solutions, and the chips used in these servers were originally designed for consumer devices. These chips are not optimized for AI workflows, making them less effective at running large models like Gemini. This inefficiency has likely contributed to Apple’s decision to seek external support.

Now, with the impending launch of a more powerful Siri, Apple is looking to Google to ensure it can meet demand without compromising performance or user experience. By hosting Siri directly on Google’s servers, Apple could leverage the search giant’s vast cloud infrastructure and expertise in AI model deployment.

This partnership, if it materializes, would mark a significant departure from Apple’s traditional approach of keeping everything in-house. It also raises questions about the future of Private Cloud Compute and whether Apple will continue to invest in its own cloud technologies or increasingly rely on partners like Google.

For now, the tech world watches closely as Apple prepares for what could be a transformative moment in the evolution of Siri—and perhaps the beginning of a new era in how Apple approaches cloud computing.

Tags: Apple, Google, Siri, Gemini, AI, cloud computing, Private Cloud Compute, Apple Silicon, data centers, artificial intelligence, Craig Federighi, Patrick Gates, Nvidia, Amazon Web Services, privacy, technology, innovation, future of AI

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