Apple explores AI search as Google deal faces questions
AI-driven search gains traction among Safari users.
Apple is reportedly exploring a move towards integrating AI-powered search within its Safari browser, as questions mount over the future of its partnership with Google. Cue made the comments during his testimony in the US Department of Justice’s antitrust trial against Google’s parent company, Alphabet.
Senior Vice President Eddy Cue revealed the company is considering collaborations with AI search leaders such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity, amid a broader shift in user behaviour towards AI tools.
Safari recently experienced its first decline in search usage, a trend attributed to users adopting AI-driven search solutions. While Apple currently integrates ChatGPT into Siri and plans to add Google’s Gemini, the company remains cautious about replacing Google as the default search engine.
Cue acknowledged the financial benefits of the $20 billion annual deal with Google and expressed concerns over jeopardising the partnership. Discussions continue as Apple balances innovation with maintaining its lucrative search agreement with Google.
Despite this, Cue predicts AI search engines could eventually surpass traditional models. Apple has also evaluated other AI technologies, including DeepSeek and xAI’s Grok, highlighting its growing interest in generative AI.
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