Apple Intelligence set to launch in China with Alibaba and Baidu

in China with Alibaba and Baidu">

Apple Intelligence, the iPhone maker’s generative AI offering, is coming to China. China’s internet content regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China, has approved Apple’s AI services in the country on the back of a deal to integrate Alibaba’s Qwen AI model into Apple’s operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS, Reuters reported on Wednesday. A Baidu spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch on Wednesday evening that it is also working with Apple on developing Apple Intelligence features for Chinese users.

The Alibaba deal marks an important step for Apple’s AI ambitions in a key market. Apple generated $20.5 billion in sales in Greater China in the second quarter, up 28% from a year earlier. Apple also recently regained its No.

2 position in China’s smartphone market after a recent shopping festival offered discounts on the iPhone lineup. Alibaba earlier confirmed the company’s news to CNBC in a statement, saying that its Qwen models would be “integrated into Apple Intelligence experiences,” though it did not provide a timeframe. It also said the integrations would involve AI capabilities like “text and image understanding and generation.” Why this matters: The approval and partnerships mark a significant expansion of Apple Intelligence into one of the world’s largest and most competitive tech markets.

For developers and businesses, this move could set a precedent for how AI-powered services are integrated and regulated in China. For consumers, it may mean access to more sophisticated AI-driven features on their devices. However, questions remain about how Apple and its partners will balance user data privacy with the capabilities of these AI models, particularly given China’s strict regulations on data and AI.

The involvement of major Chinese tech players like Alibaba and Baidu also suggests that Apple is committed to tailoring its AI offerings to meet local needs and preferences.