Apple trains its own AI model for China market with Alibaba's support, sources say
Apple has trained a large language model specifically for the China market, three people familiar with the matter said, a departure from the iPhone maker’s strategy of relying on third-party models to power AI features in the country. The AI model was developed in partnership with Alibaba Group and trained with the Chinese tech giant’s support, the people said, declining to be named as the…
Apple has developed its own large language model tailored for the China market, according to sources familiar with the matter. This marks a shift from the company's previous reliance on third-party models to power AI features on iPhones and other devices sold in the country, where US models are not available. The new AI model was crafted in collaboration with Alibaba Group, with support from Apple's Chinese operations.
Apple's foray into creating its own China-specific AI model has not been publicly disclosed until now. Apple Intelligence, the suite of AI tools by the company, is set to launch in China in the coming months following an update to its iOS operating system. The move allows Apple to gain greater control over the AI experience in its most competitive overseas market, where it has been lagging behind local rivals like Huawei.
Clearing regulatory hurdles and securing approval from Beijing, Apple becomes the first foreign company to offer a proprietary AI model in the country, signifying a rare collaboration between US and Chinese tech firms amid escalating trade and diplomatic tensions. Alibaba's Qwen model will be integrated into Apple Intelligence for compatible iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Vision Pro devices sold in China, potentially reshaping the AI landscape in the region.
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