Apple Partners with Alibaba to Develop AI Features for Chinese Market
Apple is making a strategic move to enhance its presence in the Chinese market. The company has reportedly partnered with Alibaba. Together, they will co-develop artificial intelligence (AI) features for the iPhone and other devices in China. This collaboration is aimed at creating customized AI features that cater to Apple’s Chinese user base.
Apple selected Alibaba as its AI partner in China. This decision came after evaluating several other AI-focused companies. These companies included Baidu, Tencent, ByteDance, and DeepSeek. Alibaba’s vast amount of personal data, containing users’ shopping and payment behavior, was a key factor in Apple’s decision.
The duo has already co-developed several AI features, which are currently awaiting regulatory approval from China’s cyberspace regulator. No details about the developed AI features have been shared. It is expected that they will be integrated into Apple devices sold in China.
Apple initially partnered with Baidu for AI development. The collaboration was reportedly called off due to Baidu’s slow progress. DeepSeek, another contender, was also considered, but ultimately not selected due to its limited manpower and experience.
The partnership with Alibaba is a significant step for Apple. The company seeks to strengthen its position in the Chinese market. The company recently rolled out Apple Intelligence features in the European Union. However, China is the only region where the iPhone 16 series is sold without AI features. This has reportedly resulted in a dip in sales during the December quarter, highlighting the importance of this partnership.
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