Apple has developed a new AI model for China in partnership with Alibaba, marking its first independent AI project in the region.
Apple has developed a new large language model specifically for the Chinese market, collaborating with Alibaba, according to sources cited by Reuters.
Model Insights
Details about the model, including its name and specifications, remain undisclosed. This initiative marks Apple's first independent venture into AI development for China, diverging from its past reliance on local partners for generative AI implementations on devices sold in the region.
Unlike the American models available in other markets, such as Claude by Anthropic and ChatGPT by OpenAI, this new model is tailored for compliance with Chinese regulations.
The upcoming AI model will serve to enhance existing partnerships rather than replace them, although specifics about the division of responsibilities between Apple and local solutions are unclear. This hybrid strategy is unprecedented among foreign companies operating in China.
Apple is expected to launch this AI model, named Apple Intelligence, in the coming weeks or months alongside an iOS update.
Approval Process
Before the launch, Apple underwent a rigorous approval process, with the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) registering the generative AI service in July—a requirement for public models, which previously included only local developers.
If confirmed, this development would position Apple as the first foreign entity permitted to operate its own AI system in China.
As part of a July agreement, Alibaba will integrate its Qwen AI into Apple Intelligence for devices like the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro in China, alongside utilizing Baidu’s technologies.
Recently, Apple also shared a Chinese-language guide for Mac users on connecting Qwen to Siri and "Writing Tools," although the document was removed shortly after publication without explanation.
Strategic Focus on China
The collaboration was initially confirmed by Alibaba's chairman, Joe Tsai, in February 2025, during the World Governments Summit in Dubai, where he mentioned that Apple selected Alibaba for its AI needs in smartphones targeting the Chinese market.
"They talked to many Chinese companies and ultimately chose us," Tsai noted at the time.
Deployment of the AI features has faced delays due to the need for regulatory compliance. Analysts suggest that the lack of AI capabilities on local iPhones has negatively impacted sales, pushing consumers towards local brands like Huawei, which offer built-in assistants. In July, it was reported that China might impose restrictions on AI models, with discussions ongoing between the Ministry of Commerce and major tech firms like Alibaba and ByteDance.
