In a significant strategic shift, Apple has trained its own large language model tailored specifically for the Chinese market, working closely with Alibaba, Reuters reports citing sources familiar with the matter. The move marks a departure from the company’s previous approach of relying primarily on third-party Chinese models to power generative AI features on devices sold in the country.
The China-specific model was developed with Alibaba’s technical support, the sources said. This gives Apple greater control over the AI experience on iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Vision Pro devices in its most important overseas market, where it has faced intensifying competition from local rivals like Huawei that have aggressively rolled out AI-powered handsets.
Apple Intelligence, the company’s suite of AI tools, is expected to launch in China in the coming months following an iOS update. The self-trained model would operate alongside third-party systems, including Alibaba’s Qwen, which is set to be incorporated into the China version of Apple Intelligence. Technology from Baidu is also expected to play a role.
This dual-track approach is highly unusual for a foreign company operating in China. It allows Apple to navigate the country’s strict regulatory environment while offering a proprietary AI model—the first such approval for a foreign firm by Beijing, according to the reporting. The Cyberspace Administration of China registered Apple’s generative AI service last month, clearing a key hurdle after a lengthy review process.
China remains a critical revenue market for Apple. The absence of advanced AI features on Chinese iPhones has been cited as a factor weighing on sales, as consumers have increasingly favored domestic brands offering built-in AI assistants. Apple first publicly confirmed its partnership with Alibaba in early 2025, when Alibaba’s chairman Joe Tsai noted that Apple had evaluated multiple Chinese companies before selecting Alibaba. The rollout faced delays as Apple adapted its features to meet local regulations.
Last week, Apple briefly published a Chinese-language guide explaining how Mac users in mainland China could connect Alibaba’s Qwen to Siri and Writing Tools, before later removing the document without explanation. The partnership has already drawn investor interest: Alibaba’s U.S.-listed shares rose notably after news of the regulatory registration in July.
While details remain limited on exactly how Apple’s own model will interact with Qwen and other systems, the development underscores Apple’s determination to close the AI gap in China. In an era of heightened U.S.-China tech tensions, the collaboration stands out as a rare example of cross-border cooperation in the highly sensitive field of artificial intelligence.
MacDailyNews Take: Details on exactly how Apple’s proprietary model will play with Qwen and the rest are still scarce, but, Apple is methodically closing the AI gap in China the only way that matters: by taking control. This is Apple doing what Apple does best: quietly outmaneuvering everyone, owning the experience on its devices, and positioning itself to leave Huawei and the rest sucking Cupertino dust. Wait until Wall Street finally figures it out.
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