Apple is working with Alibaba to train its own AI model for China as it tries to bring Apple Intelligence to customers in the country, Reuters reported.
Reuters, citing three people familiar with the matter, said the Cyberspace Administration of China registered Apple’s generative AI service last month. That clears a major regulatory hurdle that has kept OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude unavailable in China.
Alibaba partnership confirmed earlier
Alibaba Chairman Joe Tsai confirmed the arrangement in February 2025.
At the time, Tsai reportedly said, 「They talked to a number of companies in China. In the end they chose to do business with us.」
Apple may combine several AI systems
According to Reuters, Apple plans to pair its model with Alibaba’s Qwen and technology from Baidu. The exact role of each system is still unclear.
Apple Intelligence, the company’s branded AI initiative, is expected to reach Chinese iPhones through an iOS update in the coming months.
Apple’s AI unit has had a rough year
The report follows a difficult stretch for Apple’s AI business.
In January, Apple said its next-generation Foundation Models would use Google’s Gemini instead of a proprietary design after delays and a weak reception for Apple Intelligence.
In May, Apple agreed to pay $250 million to settle claims that it misled iPhone buyers about AI features that were not available at launch. The delay left Apple behind Chinese rivals including Huawei, which already sells phones with AI features.
In June, Apple unveiled Siri AI, a rebuilt assistant that can hold conversations, analyze images, and use personal context. Apple said the assistant would enter beta later this year, but it would remain unavailable in China while the company worked through regulatory requirements.