Apple Intelligence gets China approval, taps Alibaba's Qwen AI
Apple finally brings AI to China via Alibaba's Qwen model after Baidu talks failed
Apple Intelligence, the iPhone maker's generative AI suite, is finally coming to China after receiving regulatory approval from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). The approval is tied to a deal with Alibaba, integrating its Qwen large language model into Apple's operating systems — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS. The partnership was rumored for months but only confirmed this week by Alibaba in a statement to CNBC. The integration will cover text and image understanding and generation capabilities, though no specific launch date was provided.
Apple had previously explored deals with Baidu but faced difficulties adapting its models for Chinese users. It also considered integrations with DeepSeek and ByteDance, but Alibaba's Qwen reportedly offered better compliance with Chinese regulations and smoother customization. The approval is a critical milestone for Apple, which saw Greater China sales rise 28% to $20.5 billion in Q2, reclaiming the No. 2 spot in the country's smartphone market. Alibaba's U.S. shares jumped 6% in pre-market trading on the news. With Apple Intelligence already rolled out in the U.S. and other regions since 2024, this Chinese launch closes a major gap in Apple's global AI strategy.
- China's CAC approved Apple Intelligence on condition of integrating Alibaba's Qwen model into iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS.
- Apple previously tried Baidu, DeepSeek, and ByteDance before settling on Alibaba, causing months of delays.
- Apple's Greater China sales hit $20.5B in Q2 (up 28%), helping it regain #2 smartphone market position; Alibaba shares rose 6%.
Why It Matters
Apple's AI finally enters China's massive market, partnering with Alibaba to navigate strict regulation and compete locally.