Apple Intelligence approved for China launch with Alibaba partnership
China's regulator has approved Apple Intelligence for launch in the country. The service will integrate Alibaba's Qwen AI model into Apple's operating systems.
Apple Intelligence, the iPhone maker's generative AI offering, has received approval for launch in China. The country's regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China, has cleared Apple's AI services for use within the market.
As part of the approval, Apple will integrate local technology giant Alibaba's Qwen AI model into its operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS. This deal, rumored to be in the works since last year, marks a significant expansion step for Apple's AI strategy into one of its most crucial markets.
The Chinese market is vital for Apple. The company's sales in Greater China increased by 28% in the last fiscal quarter, reaching $20.5 billion. Apple also recently regained the number two position in China's smartphone market following discounts offered on iPhones during a recent shopping festival.
Prior to partnering with Alibaba, Apple reportedly explored integrations with other Chinese tech firms like Baidu and ByteDance. However, those negotiations faced delays, and Alibaba's Qwen model is now seen as the most suitable option for Chinese users. Alibaba has confirmed the Qwen model will be integrated into Apple Intelligence experiences, offering text and image understanding and generation capabilities, though a specific launch timeframe has not been disclosed.