Apple Intelligence has received regulatory clearance in China, allowing Apple to bring its on-device generative AI service to iPhones in the world's second-largest smartphone market. The Cyberspace Administration of China announced on Tuesday that Apple Intelligence was among seven new on-device AI services added to its registry, with the filing submitted by Apple's Shanghai-based technology development unit.
The service will draw on AI models from both Alibaba and Baidu to power features across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS for Chinese users. Alibaba Chairman Joe Tsai confirmed that Apple ultimately selected his company as a partner, and an Alibaba spokesperson said its Qwen model will underpin the Apple Intelligence experience on all major Apple platforms in China. Apple is also working with Baidu to develop additional features for Chinese iPhone users.
Alibaba's U.S.-listed shares rose about 4% in premarket trading on news of the partnership.