Apple and Google: Siri Transformed into an AI Health Coach

Apple's developer conference, starting Monday, could mark a decisive turning point for Siri, Apple's voice assistant. Indeed, Apple seems ready to close the gap in the race for artificial intelligence through a strategic partnership with Google. This partnership could invigorate Apple's health suite, an area where the company has fallen behind.

An Unexpected Partnership

Historically, Apple has maintained a strict separation between its products and those of its competitors, particularly Google. Steve Jobs, Apple's iconic founder, always ensured that the company's hardware and software remained closed, showing little interest in integrating its products into Android devices or introducing Google products into Apple's ecosystem. However, in light of the rise of AI in Android devices, Apple has decided to take the plunge. In 2026, the company exhausted its internal resources and turned to Google to integrate Gemini, Google's AI, into the next generation of Siri.

The Impact on Digital Health

This collaboration could have significant repercussions for Apple's health suite. Google has announced that its Gemini will power the next generation of Siri. As the health editor at ZDNET, the author expresses enthusiasm for the possibilities offered by this overhaul of Siri. With Google's AI, Siri could become a true health coach, capable of providing personalized recommendations based on users' sleep, exercise, and stress data.

Towards a New Health App

Apple might draw inspiration from the Google Health app to rethink its Health app. The integration of a health chatbot powered by Gemini could offer new perspectives on health tracking. However, Apple will need to ensure that this integration adheres to its high standards of privacy and security. This is one of the many reasons people choose Apple over Android, and it poses a significant challenge in this collaboration: will Apple compromise some of its own privacy measures to achieve functional AI on its products?

Increased Interaction Between Apps

The AI health assistant could also facilitate interaction between different apps like Health, Journal, and Fitness. For example, mood data entered in the Journal app could be cross-referenced with physiological information from the Health and Sleep apps. Building on the Sleep Score that Apple unveiled in September, the author would also like to see Apple integrate more data from the smartwatch into daily summaries that can be reviewed. After testing the Fitbit Air and Google Health Premium, he appreciated receiving a brief summary of his daily activity, sleep time recommendations, and encouragement to move more.

Interactive Data Presentation

Currently, Apple's Health app lacks interactivity. Yet, apps like Oura and Google Health have demonstrated the value of an interactive and accessible presentation of health data. Oura does this best, with tabs for daily sleep, activity, and stress scores; a short-term aggregated tab for important biometrics; and a longitudinal health tab that displays information such as stress management, sleep health, and heart health. If Apple can successfully integrate these features, it could enhance user engagement and pave the way for future wearable devices.