Apple’s Eddy Cue recently testified in the Google antitrust remedies trial, discussing AI’s potential to disrupt the tech world, including the future of the iPhone and Google’s search monopoly.
A senior Apple executive, Eddy Cue, testified in the ongoing Google Search antitrust remedies case on May 7, 2025, where he defended the $20 billion Google deal and discussed the future of AI-powered search engines. Cue’s testimony has significant implications for both the iPhone and Google’s search dominance.
The iPhone’s Future: Could AI Render it Obsolete?
In a rather ominous statement, Cue warned that the iPhone, much like the iPod before it, could become obsolete in the next decade due to the rise of AI technologies. “Incumbents have a hard time… you may not need an iPhone 10 years from now,” Cue said, highlighting the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and its disruptive potential.
Despite this, Cue acknowledged that Apple’s bold move to discontinue the iPod was one that set a precedent, suggesting that, like the iPod, the iPhone could face similar challenges in a world dominated by AI-driven technologies. Learn more about the iPhone’s evolution here.
AI as a Technological Shift: Humbling the Untouchable
According to Cue, AI represents a significant technological shift, one that could diminish the power of even the most successful tech companies. He referenced the fall of once-dominant companies like HP, Sun Microsystems, and Intel, suggesting that AI could disrupt the dominance of current tech giants like Apple itself.
“Until there are truly competitive products, people will keep using the best one,” said Cue, stressing the importance of competition in AI development. However, he remained optimistic, stating that AI could level the playing field for newcomers.
AI as a Threat to Google’s Search Monopoly
In his testimony, Cue argued that while traditional search engines like Microsoft’s Bing or DuckDuckGo are unlikely to challenge Google’s dominance, well-funded generative AI startups present a real threat to Google’s search business. He noted that AI search tools are still in their infancy, and current offerings are not yet good enough to replace traditional search engines.
However, Cue believes that AI-powered search engines, especially those utilizing large language models (LLMs), could soon offer a competitive alternative to Google. “There is much greater potential because there are new entrants attacking the problem in a different way,” he said.
Defending the Google-Apple Deal
Despite the growing concerns around Google’s monopoly, Cue defended Apple’s deal with Google, which pays Apple around $20 billion annually to make Google the default search engine in Safari. Cue emphasized that this partnership, while criticized by some, has helped Apple maintain its position in the market. He pointed out that Google remains the best search service available for customers, and switching to another search engine would not make a significant difference.
However, Cue acknowledged that the deal had disincentivized Apple from building its own search engine, agreeing with the court’s ruling on the matter. He warned that losing the Google deal could impact Apple’s ability to innovate and create new products.
Conclusion: The Role of AI in Shaping the Future of Tech
Cue’s testimony underscores the profound changes AI could bring to the tech industry. From the iPhone’s future to the potential for AI to disrupt Google’s search monopoly, the rise of AI is shaping up to be the defining technological shift of the next decade. While Apple continues to defend its lucrative deal with Google, it’s clear that the future of tech will involve AI-driven advancements that could reshape the landscape for giants like Apple and Google alike.
