Pichai testified in the Alphabet unit’s defence against proposals by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) which include ending lucrative deals with Apple, Samsung Electronics, AT&T and Verizon to be the default search engine on new mobile devices.
During questioning by DOJ lawyer Veronica Onyema, Pichai said that while Google did not yet have an agreement with Apple to include its Gemini AI on iPhones, Pichai spoke with Apple CEO Tim Cook about the possibility last year.
A potential deal this year would see Google’s Gemini AI included within Apple Intelligence, Apple’s own set of AI features, Pichai said.
Google also planned to experiment with including ads in its Gemini app, Pichai said.
Prosecutors have sought to illustrate how Google could extend its dominance in online search to AI. Google maintained its monopoly in part by paying billions of dollars to wireless carriers and smartphone manufacturers, US district judge Amit Mehta ruled last year.
