Apple's new AI explained: Gemini distillation, EU troubles and third-party clouds

Apple is taking a fresh stab at its 'Apple Intelligence' tools using five new AI models – which Google helped build and will, in part, run on Google Cloud.

At Apple’s WWDC event on June 8, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering Craig Federighi revealed the new Apple Intelligence.

Federighi said the revised architecture – based on a new family of five foundational AI models – will deliver a more personalised, useful experience across Apple's operating systems, apps and a "more responsive" Siri AI.

This third generation of foundational models were “custom-built in collaboration with Google and its Gemini models for deeply integrated Apple Intelligence experiences”, according to Apple.

Apple's prior forays into AI have been mixed. In 2024, Apple paid a $250 million settlement to customers alleging it misled them over promised Apple Intelligence features on the then new iPhone.