Apple Advances Siri AI While Microsoft Boosts Anthropic Investment

Apple and Google are forging a significant multiyear partnership, with Google's Gemini AI and cloud technology set to power future Apple features, including an enhanced Siri later this year. This deal involves Apple paying Google approximately $1 billion annually. Wall Street analysts view this collaboration as a strengthening move for both companies, highlighting Google's AI leadership and supporting Apple's smart feature development. This major AI deal with Apple has propelled Alphabet Inc.'s market value past $4 trillion, underscoring the financial impact of AI partnerships. While investors are assessing Alphabet's stock at this high valuation, other tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon are also heavily investing in AI. Microsoft, for instance, is increasing its commitment to Anthropic, a rival to OpenAI, expecting to spend over $500 million on Anthropic's AI this fiscal year, potentially reaching $1.2 billion in 2024. This move diversifies Microsoft's AI investments and aims to boost its Azure cloud business by encouraging its sales team to promote Anthropic AI solutions. The broader AI market saw strong performance in 2025, with a Morningstar-selected group of AI stocks rising by 50.8%. Micron, Lam Research, and Palantir Technology were top performers, though some, like Oracle and Nvidia, experienced losses. After recent fluctuations, many AI stocks are now considered fairly priced, with some, including Marvell, Adobe, and Salesforce, even appearing undervalued. Investors are closely monitoring how companies leverage AI for productivity gains, not just their spending, and whether large tech firms can sustain significant profit growth. Beyond the tech giants, specialized AI companies are also making strides. Voice AI firm Deepgram achieved "unicorn" status with $130 million in Series C funding, valuing it at $1.3 billion, and acquired OfOne, a voice AI startup for fast-food restaurants. Deepgram plans to expand its advanced voice AI models and global presence. Separately, AI security company depthfirst secured $40 million in Series A funding for its General Security Intelligence platform, which helps companies identify security vulnerabilities. Bank of America is also integrating AI, automation, and digital tools like its AI agent Erica, which recorded over 169 million interactions, to enhance productivity and customer service. Meanwhile, Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions Inc. (AITX), known for its AI-driven security robots, is filing its Q3 fiscal year 2026 report and hosting an investor Q&A.

Key Takeaways

• Apple and Google are partnering on a multiyear deal, with Google's Gemini AI and cloud technology powering future Apple features, including Siri, for an estimated $1 billion annually.
• Alphabet Inc.'s market value has surpassed $4 trillion, partly due to its significant AI deal with Apple.
• Microsoft is increasing its investment in Anthropic, a rival to OpenAI, expecting to spend over $500 million this fiscal year and potentially $1.2 billion in 2024 to strengthen its AI market position and Azure cloud revenue.
• Microsoft is actively promoting Anthropic AI models to its Azure cloud customers, counting them equally with its own software sales.
• In 2025, AI stocks outperformed the overall US market, with a Morningstar-selected group rising by 50.8%; Micron, Lam Research, and Palantir Technology were top performers.
• Voice AI company Deepgram achieved "unicorn" status with $130 million in Series C funding, valuing it at $1.3 billion, and acquired voice AI startup OfOne.
• AI security company depthfirst raised $40 million in Series A funding for its General Security Intelligence platform, which detects security problems in code and systems.
• Bank of America is utilizing AI, automation, and digital tools like its AI agent Erica, which had over 169 million interactions, to boost productivity without increasing overall headcount.
• Investors are focusing on how companies use AI to improve productivity, their cash spending on AI projects, and the ability of large tech companies to maintain 20% or more profit growth.
• Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions Inc. (AITX) is filing its Q3 fiscal year 2026 report and will host an investor Q&A.

Apple and Google Partner on AI for Siri

Apple and Google are working together on a new multiyear deal. Google's Gemini AI and cloud technology will power future Apple features, including an improved Siri later this year. Apple will pay Google about $1 billion each year for this access. Wall Street experts believe this partnership makes both Apple and Google stronger investments. They say it shows Google's leadership in AI and helps Apple's plans for new smart features.

Alphabet Reaches 4 Trillion Dollar Value with Apple AI Deal

Alphabet Inc. has reached a market value of over $4 trillion, partly because of its big AI deal with Apple Inc. This partnership will help Google's AI services and could bring in a lot of money for Alphabet. Other companies like Microsoft and Amazon are also investing heavily in AI. Investors are now wondering if Alphabet stock is still a good buy at this high price. They are looking at Alphabet's AI innovations, partnerships, and how it plans to make money from its AI technologies.

Microsoft Boosts Investment in Anthropic AI

Microsoft is increasing its spending on Anthropic, a rival to OpenAI. The company expects to spend over $500 million on Anthropic's AI in the current fiscal year, possibly reaching $1.2 billion in 2024. Microsoft is diversifying its AI investments as OpenAI partners with other cloud providers. This move aims to strengthen Microsoft's spot in the AI market and increase revenue for its Azure cloud business. Microsoft will provide cloud services and AI technology to Anthropic, which will use Azure to develop its AI models.

Microsoft Increases Anthropic AI Use and Sales

Microsoft is greatly increasing its work with Anthropic, spending about $500 million each year on Anthropic AI. This partnership aims to improve Microsoft's products and increase sales by offering Anthropic AI models to its cloud customers. Microsoft is also encouraging its Azure sales team to sell Anthropic AI solutions, counting them the same as Microsoft's own software. This shows Microsoft's strong focus on growing its AI abilities and staying competitive. Analysts are positive about Microsoft, which has a market value of around $3.45 trillion.

Top AI Stocks of 2025 and Their Performance

In 2025, AI stocks performed very well, doing better than the overall US market and the tech industry. A group of AI stocks chosen by Morningstar analysts went up by 50.8% that year. Micron, Lam Research, and Palantir Technology were among the best performers. However, some companies like Oracle, Nvidia, Adobe, and Marvell Technology saw losses. After some ups and downs in the last quarter, AI stocks are now seen as fairly priced. Some, like Marvell, Adobe, and Salesforce, are even considered undervalued.

Bank of America Uses AI and Digital Tools for Growth

Bank of America is using AI, automation, and digital tools like its AI agent Erica to improve how it operates. This strategy helps the bank increase productivity without hiring more people overall. Erica had over 169 million interactions and 20.6 million users, showing its growing importance. Zelle payment volumes also increased to $144 billion in the fourth quarter. These digital efforts allow the bank to add more staff to help customers while reducing other operational jobs. Consumer spending and credit card activity remain strong, and credit performance is improving.

Investors Watch AI and Spending in Earnings Season

As earnings season begins, investors are focusing on three main areas. First, they want to see how companies are using AI to improve productivity, not just how much they spend on it. Second, investors are watching how companies spend their cash, especially on AI projects. Goldman Sachs expects this spending to slow down after the first quarter of 2026. Finally, investors will check if large tech companies, especially the "Magnificent 7," can keep growing their profits by 20% or more.

AITX Files Q3 Report and Hosts Investor Q&A

Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions Inc. (AITX) is filing its third-quarter financial report for fiscal year 2026 today, January 14, 2026. This report covers the period ending November 30, 2025. Following the filing, CEO Steve Reinharz will share a video presentation about the company's performance. Later, Reinharz and CFO Chris Brown will host a live question and answer session for investors at 4:05 PM ET on the company's website. AITX is a leader in AI-driven security, known for its robotic security guards like ROSA and intelligent systems.

AI Security Company Depthfirst Raises 40 Million Dollars

AI security company depthfirst has announced it raised $40 million in Series A funding. Accel Partners led the investment, with other firms like SV Angel joining in. Founded in October 2024, depthfirst offers a platform called General Security Intelligence. This AI tool helps companies check their code and systems for security problems, protect sensitive information, and watch for threats from outside software. The company plans to use the new money to hire more people for research, engineering, product development, and sales. Its leaders have strong backgrounds in both AI and security.

Deepgram Voice AI Reaches Unicorn Status with 130 Million Dollar Funding

Voice AI company Deepgram has secured $130 million in Series C funding, bringing its value to $1.3 billion and making it a "unicorn" company. Deepgram also bought OfOne, a startup that creates voice AI solutions for fast-food restaurants, known for its high accuracy. Deepgram, founded in 2015, now serves over 1,300 organizations with its advanced voice AI technology. The company plans to use this new money to develop more advanced voice AI models, grow worldwide, and open a new collaboration hub in San Francisco. The voice AI market is expected to grow significantly, reaching up to $20 billion by 2030.

Sources

• Apple and Google are teaming up on AI. What it means for both stocks
• Alphabet Tops $4 Trillion With Apple AI Deal -- Is GOOGL Stock Still a Buy?
• Microsoft’s Spending on Anthropic AI Is on Pace to Hit $500 Million
• Microsoft (MSFT) Expands Anthropic AI Integration and Sales Incentives
• AI Stocks: Winners, Laggards, and Losers for 2025
• Erica, AI and Digital Drive Operating Leverage at Bank of America
• 3 market, AI storylines for investors to watch during Q4 earnings season
• Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. ($AITX) to File Q3 FY 2026 10-Q Today
• AI security firm, depthfirst, announces $40 million series A
• Voice AI Deepgram Hits $1.3B Unicorn Status with $130M Funding