Apple is said to have teamed up with Alibaba to create artificial intelligence (AI) features for its iPhones and other devices specifically tailored for the Chinese market. According to various reports, the tech giant from Cupertino evaluated several AI companies before choosing Alibaba for this collaboration. Together, they have developed a range of AI functionalities that target Apple’s users in China and are currently undergoing regulatory review. A timeline for the launch of these features has not yet been established. Previously, it was indicated that Apple was also considering DeepSeek for this initiative.
Apple Reportedly Partners With Alibaba Over AI
The Information has revealed that Apple has selected Alibaba as its partner for AI development in China, aiming to integrate new AI features into its devices. The report cites unnamed sources familiar with the situation, asserting that Apple and Alibaba have already collaborated on creating these AI enhancements.
Although specifics about the AI functionalities have not been disclosed, it was noted that these features have been sent to China’s cyberspace regulator for approval. It is mandatory for any AI model or feature to receive government endorsement before being deployed in the country.
The decision to collaborate with Alibaba is attributed to the e-commerce giant’s significant repository of consumer data, which includes insights into shopping and payment behaviors. Apple believes that access to this data will enable the development of more personalized AI services for its users.
In an earlier attempt last year, Apple had chosen Baidu for a similar partnership. However, it appears that Apple was dissatisfied with the pace of progress made by Baidu in advancing AI models for its needs.
Besides Alibaba and Baidu, Apple reportedly also considered Tencent, ByteDance (the parent company of TikTok), and DeepSeek. However, DeepSeek was ultimately not chosen due to concerns over its limited manpower and experience in supporting a vast user base.
Recently, Apple introduced some of its Apple Intelligence features within the European Union. China currently stands out as the only region where the iPhone 16 series is available without any AI capabilities, which are highlighted as significant selling points for the devices. This absence of features has allegedly contributed to a decline in sales during the December quarter, a critical period for the company’s revenue.
