Google’s Ambitious Gemini AI Push
Google has reportedly contemplated entering into exclusive agreements with Android device makers to preinstall and prioritize its
Gemini AI system, similar to the company’s past practices regarding its search engine. In early 2025, a new round of deals was revealed that made Gemini AI the default assistant on Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S25 devices, marking a significant step in Google’s generative AI strategy[1].
Major Financial Commitments for Market Access
- Google agreed to pay Samsung enormous sums in fixed monthly payments, activation bonuses, and ad-revenue commissions, reportedly starting January 2025.
- The arrangement is believed to run for at least two years with the possibility of extension, ensuring new Samsung Galaxy flagships launch with Gemini AI preinstalled[1].
- While precise financial figures remain undisclosed, the deals are described as “remarkably similar to the exclusionary contracts” previously ruled illegal in Google’s search antitrust case[1].
Antitrust Concerns Echo Previous Practices
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) argued in court that these exclusive Gemini AI deals represent a “monopolist playbook at work.” Officials urge that these AI agreements should not be exempt from remedies if Google is found guilty of antitrust violations in search, citing the risk of continuing exclusionary tactics in the fast-growing field of generative AI[1][2].
Industry Impact and Regulatory Pressure
- The DOJ is weighing measures to limit Google’s ability to strike exclusive agreements that could stifle competition, including requiring the company to end default arrangements and potentially license search data to rivals[2].
- Observers note that allowing Google to cement early dominance in generative AI through such contracts risks repeating its controversial rise in search engine dominance.[1][2]
Advancements in Gemini AI for Developers
In parallel to these exclusive device deals, Google has rolled out enterprise-grade Gemini AI tools for developers via Android Studio. These tools offer tailored code suggestions, chat interactions for development support, and security features for sensitive business use cases, available through paid subscriptions[3]. More about
Gemini AI’s developer capabilities can be found on Google’s Android Studio page.
The Broader AI Landscape
Google’s actions come at a time of fierce competition with rivals like
ChatGPT and
Perplexity, raising questions about how generative AI power will be distributed across the software ecosystem. Industry experts and regulators are closely watching how exclusive arrangements may affect end-user choice and innovation in the next wave of artificial intelligence.
