Apple gets full Gemini access and uses distillation to build lightweight on-device AI

THE DECODER / 3/27/2026

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Key Points

  • Apple is reportedly gaining full access to Google’s Gemini to support AI features across Siri and its devices.
  • The company plans to use model distillation to compress Gemini capabilities into smaller models suitable for on-device deployment.
  • This approach targets lightweight on-device AI, aiming to improve performance and usability without relying solely on cloud inference.
  • The report frames Apple’s strategy as similar to what Chinese AI companies are said to be doing, though via undisclosed methods.
  • The move signals intensifying platform-level AI integration between major device makers and leading model providers like Google.

Apple taps into Google's Gemini to distill smaller AI models for Siri and its devices. In short, it's paying for what Chinese AI companies allegedly do in secret.

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