Sundar Pichai Eyes Gemini-AI Partnership with Apple Amid Antitrust Backdrop

Google CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that the tech giant may soon partner with Apple to include its flagship artificial intelligence platform, Gemini, as a built-in option on iPhones.

Pichai expressed optimism during his testimony in the U.S. government’s antitrust trial against Google, stating he hoped a deal with Apple could be finalised by mid-year.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has accused Google of engaging in monopolistic practices, particularly through a multibillion-dollar deal that secures its position as the default search engine on Apple’s Safari browser.

In the course of the trial, Pichai confirmed ongoing negotiations with Apple to integrate Gemini into its devices.

Apple and Google May Expand AI Collaboration

If the talks succeed, Gemini could be added alongside Apple’s proprietary AI system, Apple Intelligence, which currently powers features on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

Though Apple largely depends on its own AI models, it has already joined hands with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT into Siri and the Writing Tools feature, which supports text generation and editing.

“I’ve had a series of conversations with Tim Cook across last year,” Pichai told the court.

“I’m hopeful we can get Gemini added as an option this year.” His remarks underline Google’s push to expand its AI offerings beyond Android and into Apple’s operating ecosystem.

A History of Apple-Google Partnership

Despite their rivalry, Apple and Google have long collaborated. As far back as 2007, Google’s services were integrated into Apple devices—YouTube, for instance, was a pre-installed app on the original iPhone.

The most prominent link remains their Safari search engine agreement, which generates billions annually for Apple and is a key focus of the DOJ’s case.

Apple is expected to unveil its next round of software updates at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) scheduled for the week of June 9.

If the agreement between Apple and Google is sealed soon, it may be announced alongside the releases of iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and the next macOS version.

Talks Underway, Hopes for Mid-Year Agreement

Initial reports of discussions between the two tech companies emerged in March last year via Bloomberg. The outlet later confirmed the negotiations are still ongoing and that a deal is likely.

Pichai reiterated in court that Google aims to finalise a Gemini AI deal with Apple by mid-2025, with potential rollout by the year’s end.

During questioning by DOJ attorney Veronica Onyema, Pichai said there is no agreement yet, but conversations with Apple CEO Tim Cook took place last year. A successful deal would see Gemini integrated with Apple Intelligence.

Pichai also shared that Google may begin testing advertisements within its Gemini app. Prosecutors, however, are attempting to show how Google could use AI to reinforce its dominance in online search.

Legal Stakes for Google in the Antitrust Trial

Google is defending itself against DOJ proposals that seek to dismantle its agreements with Apple, Samsung, AT&T, and Verizon—deals that make Google the default search engine on many mobile devices.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta had previously ruled that Google maintained its search monopoly by paying billions to these companies.

The judge is currently considering actions Google might take to restore market competition. These could significantly impact the online ecosystem, possibly reducing Google’s role as the main search engine.

Suggested remedies include requiring Google to divest its Chrome browser, banning paid default search deals, and mandating that Google share its search data with competitors.

Pichai Warns Against Data-Sharing Proposals

Pichai testified that sharing search query data and the search index would hurt Google’s innovation. He said such measures are “extraordinary” and amount to a “defacto divestiture of our IP related to search.”

He argued that these provisions could make it “trivial to reverse engineer and effectively build Google search from the outside.” This would make it “unviable to invest in research and development the way we have for the past two decades.”

Google has announced plans to appeal once the judge gives a final ruling.

Clues to the Apple-Google AI Deal

Hints of a potential partnership surfaced last year. At WWDC in June, Apple’s Senior VP Craig Federighi said, “We want to enable users ultimately to choose the models they want, maybe Google Gemini in the future.”

In February, MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris discovered references to “Google” as a model option in the iOS 18.4 beta, further fuelling speculation.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Pichai confirmed: “Correct,” when asked whether Google expects to strike a Gemini deal with Apple soon.

He added that Cook expressed Apple’s intent to support third-party AI models on Apple Intelligence later this year.