By: Jared Gudnason

Roughly two weeks ago, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, had images of them pop up on social media platforms at dinner. After barely testing the waters, I came to the understanding the photo was actually from eight years ago. In 2017, CNBC reporter Anita Balakrishnan posed the question to the audience on the topic of what was discussed between the two. Balakrishnan also made the following note: At the time, it was new to see the two dining together, as both corporations, going back to 2009, famously sued one another on multiple fronts. Two poll topics of note included Apple and Google’s encryption practices, as well as their immigration policies during Trump’s first term. WikiLeaks was mentioned briefly too.

All that aside, as time moved forward both tech giants began collaborating, specifically between Gemini, Google’s generative artificial intelligence module, and Siri from Apple. If you have initiated a Google search, typography-wise or verbally, Gemini was consulted — unfortunately, more than likely without user approval. While Gemini as an assistant is almost a wholly new thing, again this comes down to it being disseminated, potentially by ill-informed means. Apple’s profits this year were at least $102 billion. The Times of India published in October, without bylines, that Cook had divulged his intent. His mergers and acquisitions department seeks to “advance their roadmap.” Siri’s new modifications were announced late last year, but Apple software chief Craig Federighi at that time stated it was not as reliable as they wanted to market it as standardized. Without labeling them James Bond villains, it’s all a bit unfocused and un-reassuring. Siri’s a teenager now.