EU tells Google to open up AI on Android; Google says that's "unwarranted intervention"

Google has also started experimenting with allowing AI to control certain apps. As we saw when this feature debuted on the Galaxy S26, Gemini is currently pretty bad at using apps on your behalf. The commission wants to explore allowing other AI services to autonomously control installed apps and system features on Android phones. Maybe someone else could do better?

Many of the Gemini AI features in Android, including Magic Cue, rely on running local models, and Google has been slow to allow third parties the system access to make that work effectively. So the EU is also suggesting a mandate that would ensure developers have the necessary hardware access to run local models “with high levels of performance, availability and responsiveness.”

Finally, Google may be required under the DMA to create new APIs and offer technical assistance to other AI makers who want to plug into Android. The commission also specifies that these tools must be made available free of charge.

So far, this is just a framework for how AI on Android might change. The European Commission is currently accepting feedback from interested parties. That part of the process will wrap up on May 13. A final decision on this investigation will be made no later than July 27 of this year. Failure to enact required changes could result in big fines. The DMA allows for penalties up to 10 percent of a company’s annual global revenue.

Google probably won’t be required to fling the doors open right away, though. Creating avenues for third-party AI apps to access system tools and data would take time. Rushing the process could risk security or privacy issues. And naturally, there’s no guarantee any of these proposed changes would be seen outside of the EU.