2 weeks ago
Apple trains China-specific AI model with Alibaba's support
Apple makes iPhones and other gadgets.
In many countries, Apple uses AI helpers such as ChatGPT to power smart features.
In China, the government does not let Apple use those American AI services.
So Apple worked with a big Chinese company called Alibaba to train a special AI brain just for China.
China's internet watchdog has now said okay to Apple's AI service.
That means smart features called Apple Intelligence can soon come to iPhones in China.
These features will include Alibaba's Qwen model and help from another Chinese company called Baidu.
Apple hopes this will help it compete with Chinese phone makers like Huawei.
Apple also posted a Chinese guide about connecting Qwen to Siri, but removed it.
It is not yet clear how Apple's own model will work with the other models.
Apple has trained a large language model specifically for the China market, developed in partnership with Alibaba Group, according to three people familiar with the matter.
The move marks a departure from Apple's earlier reliance on third-party models, because US services such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude are not available in China.
Apple Intelligence is expected to launch in China in the coming months after an update to the iOS operating system.
The Cyberspace Administration of China registered Apple's generative AI service in July, clearing the way for AI features to reach Chinese iPhones for the first time.
Alibaba's Qwen model and technology from Baidu will be incorporated into Apple Intelligence, while Apple has lost ground to local rival Huawei.
- Who
- Apple, which trained the model in partnership with Alibaba Group; Baidu will also contribute technology, and the partnership was confirmed by Alibaba chairman Joe Tsai.
- What
- Apple trained its own China-specific large language model and is preparing to launch its Apple Intelligence features in China.
- Where
- China, including mainland China, where Apple briefly published a Chinese-language guide on connecting Qwen to Siri on Macs; the partnership was announced at the World Governments Summit in Dubai.
- When
- The Cyberspace Administration of China registered Apple's generative AI service in July; Apple Intelligence is expected to launch in the coming months after an iOS update, and the partnership was confirmed in February 2025.
- Why
- To give Apple greater control over the AI experience in its most competitive overseas market, where US AI services are restricted and local rivals such as Huawei have raced ahead with AI-equipped handsets; China accounts for a significant share of Apple's revenue.
Key facts
- Companies involved
- Apple, Alibaba Group and Baidu
- AI model
- Apple-trained China-specific large language model; Alibaba's Qwen will be incorporated into Apple Intelligence
- Regulator
- Cyberspace Administration of China
- Regulatory status
- Registered Apple's generative AI service in July, clearing the way for launch
- Supported devices
- Compatible iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro models in China
- Expected launch
- Coming months, after an update to the iOS operating system
- Partnership confirmed
- February 2025, by Alibaba chairman Joe Tsai at the World Governments Summit in Dubai
- Market reaction
- Alibaba's US-listed shares rose about 4% in premarket trading on news of the July registration
Quotes
Joe Tsai
Alibaba chairman, speaking at the World Governments Summit
“"They talked to a number of companies in China. In the end they chose to do business with us."”
firstpost.com
Sources
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