Elon Musk has sharply criticised reports of Apple considering a deal with Google to integrate the Gemini AI model into Siri, calling the move “unreasonable.” His comments come amid growing competition among major tech companies to dominate the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence space, particularly in consumer-facing products like voice assistants.
The reported deal suggests that Apple may look beyond its own in-house AI capabilities to strengthen Siri by using Google Gemini, Google’s advanced large language model. Apple has been under pressure to significantly upgrade Siri, which many users and analysts feel has lagged behind rival AI-powered assistants in recent years.
Reacting to these reports, Elon Musk described the idea as unreasonable, arguing that Apple relying on a competitor’s core AI technology raises serious questions about long-term independence and innovation. Musk, who leads several technology-driven companies, has consistently advocated for tighter control over foundational AI systems rather than dependence on external platforms.
The potential collaboration highlights a broader trend in the tech industry, where even the largest companies are weighing partnerships to accelerate AI deployment. While Apple has traditionally preferred building critical technologies internally, the fast pace of AI development has forced it to consider external models to remain competitive with rivals offering more conversational and context-aware assistants.
Supporters of the move argue that integrating Gemini could quickly enhance Siri’s capabilities, giving users more accurate responses, better contextual understanding, and improved productivity features. Critics, however, echo Musk’s concerns, suggesting that such a deal could dilute Apple’s ecosystem advantage and increase reliance on competitors for core functionality.
Neither Apple nor Google has officially confirmed the details of any agreement, and the final direction Apple takes remains unclear. What is evident, however, is that the debate sparked by Musk’s remarks underscores the high stakes of the AI race, where strategic decisions made today could reshape the balance of power in the tech industry for years to come.