Apple is preparing to roll out its generative AI platform, Apple Intelligence, in China after receiving approval from the country’s internet content regulator, according to a Reuters report cited in the source article. The green light from the Cyberspace Administration of China comes as Apple works with local technology partners to adapt the service for Chinese users.
The report says Apple’s deal with Alibaba will bring the company’s Qwen AI model into Apple’s operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS. Alibaba earlier said its Qwen models would be integrated into Apple Intelligence experiences and described the collaboration as covering AI functions such as text and image understanding and generation, though it did not give a timeline.
Apple’s China strategy also appears to include Baidu. A Baidu spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch that the company is working with Apple on Apple Intelligence features for Chinese users. The Baidu tie-up had been rumored before, although earlier reports suggested Apple was running into difficulties adapting its models for the Chinese market. Apple is also said to be considering integrations with DeepSeek and ByteDance.
The approval matters for Apple because China remains a major market for the company. In the second quarter, Apple reported $20.5 billion in sales in Greater China, up 28% from a year earlier. The company also recently regained the No. 2 spot in China’s smartphone market after a shopping festival that included iPhone discounts. Apple Intelligence first launched in 2024, but its Chinese debut had been delayed because regulators had not yet approved the features.
Source: techcrunch.com
