Apple Intelligence Cleared for China Launch With Alibaba, Baidu as Partners
Apple's entry into China's generative AI market, via local partners, marks a strategic compromise that gives the company a foothold while ceding core model control to Chinese firms.
Reporting from 1 source: GIGAZINE.
Chinese regulators approved Apple Intelligence for iPhones on July 15, 2026, ending a two-year wait since its 2024 announcement. Alibaba and Baidu will provide AI models, with Alibaba's Qwen integrated into the experience. The license covers iPhones only; iPad and Mac support unclear. Service launch expected late 2026 or 2027. Apple Intelligence joins Samsung's Galaxy AI as the only non-Chinese AI services licensed in China.
Among the AI services licensed by China's Cyberspace Administration, only Apple Intelligence and Samsung's Galaxy AI are non-Chinese. The rest are domestic players: Huawei, OPPO, Vivo, Xiaomi, and ZTE. On July 15, the CAC approved Apple Intelligence for iPhones, with Alibaba and Baidu as technology partners. Alibaba's Qwen large language model will be integrated into the Apple Intelligence experience across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS for Chinese users. Baidu is also cooperating on AI functions. The license is limited to iPhones, and Apple has not commented. Service is expected to begin in late 2026 or 2027.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.