Google Execs Suggest Gemini-Powered Siri Will Run on Google Servers

Conflicting statements from Apple and Google raise questions about privacy and infrastructure for new Siri features.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 7:47pm by Ben Kaplan

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Recent statements from executives at Alphabet and Apple have created confusion around where the upcoming Gemini-powered Siri features will actually run. While Apple has claimed the new Siri will operate on its own infrastructure to maintain privacy, Google executives have suggested the AI assistant will be hosted on Google's servers using the company's cloud services and powerful AI chips.

Why it matters

The partnership between Apple and Google to power new Siri features with Gemini technology has raised concerns about user privacy, as it was unclear whether Google would have access to Apple user data. The conflicting statements from the two tech giants only add to the uncertainty around how the companies will handle sensitive user information.

The details

During Alphabet's Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO Sundar Pichai and Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler both stated that Google is collaborating with Apple as the 'preferred cloud provider' to 'develop the next generation of Apple Foundation Models, based on Gemini technology.' This contradicts previous statements from Apple CEO Tim Cook, who said the Gemini-powered Siri would continue to run on Apple's own infrastructure, including its Private Cloud Compute servers. Industry analysts believe Apple may be referring to Siri and Apple Intelligence as separate systems, with the chatbot Siri potentially running on Google's cloud.

  • During Alphabet's Q4 2025 earnings call on February 4, 2026, Google executives made statements about the company's cloud partnership with Apple.
  • In Apple's Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO Tim Cook provided vague details about the Gemini-powered Siri running on Apple's own infrastructure.

The players

Sundar Pichai

CEO of Alphabet, Google's parent company.

Philipp Schindler

Chief Business Officer at Alphabet.

Tim Cook

CEO of Apple.

Mark Gurman

Bloomberg reporter who has covered the details of the Apple-Google partnership.

Ben Reitzes

Analyst who asked Tim Cook about the Apple-Google partnership during Apple's Q4 2025 earnings call.

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What they’re saying

“We are collaborating with Apple as their preferred cloud provider and to develop the next generation of Apple Foundation Models, based on Gemini technology.”

— Sundar Pichai, CEO, Alphabet (Alphabet Q4 2025 earnings call)

“I would start by joining Sundar in how pleased I am that we are collaborating with Apple as their preferred cloud provider and to develop the next generation of Apple Foundation Models, based on Gemini technology.”

— Philipp Schindler, Chief Business Officer, Alphabet (Alphabet Q4 2025 earnings call)

“We'll continue to run on the device, and run in Private Cloud Compute, and maintain our industry-leading privacy standards in doing so.”

— Tim Cook, CEO, Apple (Apple Q4 2025 earnings call)

What’s next

It remains unclear exactly how Apple and Google will handle the privacy and infrastructure aspects of the Gemini-powered Siri features. Both companies are likely still finalizing the details of their partnership, and further clarification is expected when Apple officially announces the new Siri capabilities.

The takeaway

The conflicting statements from Apple and Google executives highlight the complexities and potential privacy concerns around the companies' collaboration on the next generation of Siri. While both firms have emphasized a commitment to user privacy, the ambiguity around where the Gemini-powered Siri will actually run raises questions that Apple and Google will need to address transparently.