Apple is preparing for Chinese users a separate large language model, which is developed and trained together with Alibaba. Previously, the company was going to launch artificial intelligence in China mainly on the technologies of local partners. The new scheme will give Apple more control over Apple Intelligence's features in one of the most important overseas markets.
The Chinese version of Apple Intelligence is due out in the coming months. The company cannot launch the international version of the system without changes: the services of American developers, including OpenAI and Anthropic, are not available in China. Therefore, Apple had to build a separate technological infrastructure for the country and attract Chinese companies.
The original plan relied on ready-made local models. In July, the Chinese Internet regulator registered Apple Intelligence and thus allowed the company to bring the service to market. In the Chinese version of the system planned to embed Qwen from Alibaba, and part of the functions was to use Baidu technologies. Registration applies to Apple Intelligence for compatible devices of the company.
The own language model adds another level to the previous scheme. Apple will be able to train the system for the Chinese market, rather than transfer all work with generative AI to external developers. At the same time Qwen and Baidu technologies from the project do not disappear. It is not yet clear what tasks Apple will transfer to its own model and how it will work together with the solutions of Chinese partners.
The cooperation between Apple and Alibaba began long before the preparation of a separate model. In February 2025, Alibaba confirmed that Apple had chosen the company as a partner to implement artificial intelligence in the iPhones sold in China. Prior to the agreement, Apple considered several local developers, because without a Chinese partner, it was extremely difficult to bring generative functions to market due to local regulation requirements.
The new model shows how much the Chinese version of Apple Intelligence differs from the product for other countries. In the American market, Apple can combine its own technologies with services of companies such as OpenAI. In China, it is necessary to use a different set of models and separately agree on generative functions with local authorities. Chinese Apple devices will get their own artificial intelligence configuration, designed for the requirements of the local market.
If Beijing allows its own Apple model to be used in a commercial service, the company will be the first foreign developer to obtain such permission in China. For Apple, the issue is especially important because of competition with local smartphone makers, including Huawei, who have built generative AI into their devices faster. A separate language model will allow Apple to control the work of Apple Intelligence more.
The Chinese version of Apple Intelligence is due out in the coming months. The company cannot launch the international version of the system without changes: the services of American developers, including OpenAI and Anthropic, are not available in China. Therefore, Apple had to build a separate technological infrastructure for the country and attract Chinese companies.
The original plan relied on ready-made local models. In July, the Chinese Internet regulator registered Apple Intelligence and thus allowed the company to bring the service to market. In the Chinese version of the system planned to embed Qwen from Alibaba, and part of the functions was to use Baidu technologies. Registration applies to Apple Intelligence for compatible devices of the company.
The own language model adds another level to the previous scheme. Apple will be able to train the system for the Chinese market, rather than transfer all work with generative AI to external developers. At the same time Qwen and Baidu technologies from the project do not disappear. It is not yet clear what tasks Apple will transfer to its own model and how it will work together with the solutions of Chinese partners.
The cooperation between Apple and Alibaba began long before the preparation of a separate model. In February 2025, Alibaba confirmed that Apple had chosen the company as a partner to implement artificial intelligence in the iPhones sold in China. Prior to the agreement, Apple considered several local developers, because without a Chinese partner, it was extremely difficult to bring generative functions to market due to local regulation requirements.
The new model shows how much the Chinese version of Apple Intelligence differs from the product for other countries. In the American market, Apple can combine its own technologies with services of companies such as OpenAI. In China, it is necessary to use a different set of models and separately agree on generative functions with local authorities. Chinese Apple devices will get their own artificial intelligence configuration, designed for the requirements of the local market.
If Beijing allows its own Apple model to be used in a commercial service, the company will be the first foreign developer to obtain such permission in China. For Apple, the issue is especially important because of competition with local smartphone makers, including Huawei, who have built generative AI into their devices faster. A separate language model will allow Apple to control the work of Apple Intelligence more.
