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Apple is making a major move to bring its Apple Intelligence features to Chinese users, teaming up with Alibaba to navigate the country’s strict regulatory landscape. While Apple’s AI rollout has been slow, currently limited to select English-speaking countries, China has remained a tricky market due to its stringent rules on AI models.
Instead of going solo, Apple has opted to collaborate with the Chinese domestic tech giant, allowing it to develop a localised version of its AI services that meets the government’s requirements.
According to reports, Apple and Alibaba have already submitted their jointly developed AI features for regulatory approval, and hope to integrate them into future iOS updates soon. If approved, this partnership could help Apple regain lost ground in China, where iPhone sales have been struggling since 2024.
A history of failed partnerships
This isn’t Apple’s first attempt at cracking the Chinese AI market. Before settling on Alibaba, the company explored multiple partnerships, none of which panned out. In December, Apple was reportedly working with Baidu, but the collaboration fell apart due to differences over privacy and technical challenges.
Baidu’s AI models struggled to provide satisfactory responses to user queries, and the company wanted more access to user data to improve performance—something Apple was unwilling to allow.
Following that setback, Apple shifted its focus to other potential partners, including Tencent and ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. However, neither of them met Apple’s standards, leading to further delays in the AI rollout. Eventually, Alibaba emerged as the ideal match, thanks to its extensive experience in AI and its vast user data generated from its e-commerce empire.
A perfect fit for Apple’s AI goals
Alibaba’s strength lies in its ability to personalise AI services using its massive dataset, which is why it became Apple’s preferred partner. With access to user behaviour and purchasing trends from platforms like Taobao and Tmall, Alibaba’s AI models can provide more tailored and relevant experiences for Chinese users.
This aligns with Apple’s goal of delivering AI-powered features that feel intuitive and deeply integrated into everyday life.
Timing is also crucial. Apple has set an internal target to roll out Apple Intelligence in simplified Chinese by April for users outside China. While bringing the service to mainland China still requires regulatory approval, establishing a partnership and developing a region-specific AI version is a significant step in the right direction.
If all goes according to plan, Apple’s collaboration with Alibaba could be a game-changer, not just for AI in China but also for Apple’s position in the market. By finally addressing the country’s regulatory challenges with a strong local partner, Apple is paving the way for a much-needed boost in sales and user engagement in one of its most critical markets.