Apple trains its own AI model for China market with Alibaba's support, sources say

Business Recorder reported, citing three people with knowledge of the matter, that Apple has built a large language model designed specifically for the Chinese market. This marks a shift from the company's usual approach of depending on outside models to run its AI features in China. The model was developed together with Alibaba Group, which supported the training, according to the sources, who asked not to be named because the details are confidential.

Apple Intelligence, the company's AI package, should reach Chinese users within months once an iOS update is released, the sources added. The Cyberspace Administration of China signed off on Apple's generative AI offering last month, closing a lengthy review. Business Recorder noted that it remains unclear how the in-house model will work alongside the Alibaba Qwen model and other Chinese models.

According to the report, Apple would be the first overseas firm cleared by Beijing to run its own proprietary AI model in the country. Alibaba's US-listed stock rose roughly 4% in premarket trade after the July registration was reported. Apple has since removed a Chinese-language guide, published last week, that explained how Mac users could link Qwen to Siri, and gave no reason. Neither company replied to requests for comment.