Why Apple's New AI Isn't Relying on Google's Tech

Apple has recently made it very clear that its new artificial intelligence (AI) systems, which power the updated Siri and other smart features in your iPhones and Macs, are entirely their own work. They're not using any of Google's Gemini Assistant, which is Google's own big AI engine. This might not sound like front-page news, but it's actually quite significant for how your devices will work and who controls your information.

Think about it this way: when you use an AI, it often needs to connect to powerful computers in the cloud — basically, giant data centres somewhere in the world. If Apple used Google's AI, then some of your requests and data might end up being processed by Google's systems. By developing their own AI from the ground up, Apple is trying to keep as much of that processing and data handling within its own secure walls as possible. This aligns with their long-standing focus on user privacy.

For a small business owner, this approach can offer a bit more peace of mind. Your business details, contacts, and other sensitive information that you might share verbally with Siri or through other AI features on your Apple devices are theoretically more contained within Apple's ecosystem. It reduces the number of different companies that might have access to fragments of your data, or need to process it.

It also highlights an interesting trend in the tech world. Big companies like Apple and Google are building their own core AI technologies, rather than relying on others. This competition often leads to better, more varied services for us consumers. Apple's decision to go it alone means they have full control over how their AI works, how it's updated, and how intensely it focuses on privacy, which could be a big selling point for many Australians.

Ultimately, this news reinforces Apple's commitment to creating a distinct AI experience that prioritises privacy and control. It's a strategic move to ensure that as AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, the underlying technology remains firmly in their hands, rather than being outsourced to a competitor.