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Apple gets China approval for Apple Intelligence
China has approved Apple Intelligence with Alibaba’s Qwen model, clearing the way for Apple’s AI features to launch across its platforms.
Image: TechCrunch
Apple Intelligence is finally cleared for China. According to Reuters, China’s Cyberspace Administration of China has approved Apple’s AI services in the country after a deal to integrate Alibaba’s Qwen AI into Apple’s operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS.
The approval gives Apple a path to bring its generative AI features to one of its most important markets after delays. Apple Intelligence first debuted in 2024, but Apple had yet to launch the features in China as it worked through local partnership and regulatory requirements.
Alibaba confirmed the news to CNBC, saying Qwen would be “integrated into Apple Intelligence experiences,” though it did not offer a launch timeline. The company said the integration would cover AI features such as text and image understanding and generation.
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Before landing on Alibaba, Apple had reportedly explored several other options. Reuters said Apple had considered a deal with Baidu but ran into problems adapting its models for Chinese users. Reports also said Apple looked at DeepSeek and models from ByteDance.
The move comes as Apple’s business in the region shows signs of recovery. In the second quarter, Apple’s sales in Greater China rose 28% to $20.5 billion. The company also recently retook the No. 2 spot in China’s smartphone market after discounts on the iPhone during a shopping festival.
Investors responded quickly. Alibaba’s U.S. shares rose 4% in pre-market trading on the news and were up by more than 6% at the time of publication.
AI Editor
Ava covers the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, from foundational models and research labs to the real-world economics of intelligence. With a background in computational linguistics, she cuts through the hype to find out what actually works. She firmly believes that benchmarks are just marketing until reproduced in the wild.
via TechCrunch
