Apple partners with Alibaba to develop custom AI model for China
The collaboration allows Apple to bypass restrictions on US-based AI tools and offers greater control over its generative AI services in the competitive Chinese market.
Apple has developed a proprietary large language model for the Chinese market in partnership with Alibaba, marking a rare cross-border technology collaboration between a US and Chinese tech giant. The custom model allows Apple to offer its Apple Intelligence service in China, bypassing the unavailability of US-based AI tools such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
According to reports citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, the China-focused large language model was developed with Alibaba’s support. This move represents a strategic departure from Apple’s previous approach in the region, where it relied on domestic Chinese models to provide generative AI capabilities on devices sold locally.
The development positions Apple as the first US company approved to provide a proprietary AI model in China, following registration with the country’s cyberspace regulator. Apple officially registered the on-device generative AI service last month, clearing a major regulatory hurdle required for public release under Beijing’s strict guidelines.
This partnership provides Apple with greater control over its products in the competitive Chinese smartphone market. The rollout of Apple Intelligence in China is expected to occur in the coming months following an update to its iOS operating system, allowing the company to navigate the region’s difficult regulatory landscape with a dedicated solution.
The collaboration comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions between Beijing and Washington, which have complicated cross-border technology collaborations. By training its own model rather than relying on third-party domestic providers, Apple aims to secure a distinct advantage in a market where US-based AI tools remain inaccessible.
