- Apple trained its own large language model for the Chinese market with support from Alibaba, according to Reuters.
- The deal could make Apple the first foreign company allowed to operate its proprietary AI model in China.
- Apple Intelligence is expected to arrive on Chinese iPhones via an iOS update in the coming months.
Apple has developed its own AI model for the Chinese market with support from Alibaba, as the company races to bring Apple Intelligence to customers there, according to reports. Citing three sources, the Cyberspace Administration of China registered Apple’s generative AI service last month, clearing a key regulatory hurdle that has kept services like ChatGPT and Claude unavailable in the country.
Alibaba Chairman Joe Tsai confirmed the partnership in February 2025. “They talked to a number of companies in China,” Tsai said. “In the end they chose to do business with us.”
Apple plans to pair its proprietary model with Alibaba‘s Qwen and technology from Baidu. The specific role of each system remains unclear, though Apple Intelligence is expected to reach Chinese iPhones through an iOS update “in the coming months.” This development follows a turbulent year for Apple’s AI division.
In January, the company announced its next-generation Foundation Models would use Google‘s Gemini instead of a proprietary design, following delays and weak reception for Apple Intelligence. By May, Apple agreed to pay $250 million to settle claims it misled iPhone buyers about AI features that were unavailable at launch. This setback has left Apple trailing Chinese rivals like Huawei, which already sells devices with integrated AI features.
In June, Apple unveiled Siri AI, a rebuilt assistant capable of holding conversations, analyzing images, and leveraging personal context. The company said the assistant would enter beta later this year but would not be available in China until it completes regulatory requirements.
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