Apple Develops China-Specific AI Model with Alibaba’s Qwen

US technology giant Apple has completed work on a fully customized artificial intelligence-based large language model (LLM) designed specifically for users in China.

According to a report by international news agency Reuters, the model was trained with assistance from Qwen, the AI technology developed by Chinese e-commerce and technology giant Alibaba.

While Apple relies on third-party AI models developed by companies such as Google, OpenAI and Anthropic in other markets, the company has made a major strategic shift in its AI approach to strengthen its position in the Chinese market.

Major Achievement as First Foreign Company

Foreign technology companies often face various regulatory hurdles when seeking approval to operate in China. Against this backdrop, Apple is set to become the first foreign technology company to receive the Chinese government's green light to launch a customized AI model using its own technology.

The new Apple Intelligence features are expected to become available to iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro users in China through software updates over the coming months.

Apple has also recently published a guide explaining how Mac users can integrate Alibaba's Qwen model with Siri.

A Move Tailored to Local Regulations

Because of China's local data-protection laws and strict censorship policies, US technology giants cannot simply deploy the AI models commonly used in other parts of the world directly in the Chinese market.

To address this challenge, Apple has worked with local technology partner Alibaba to develop the model in a way that complies with China's legal and regulatory framework.

The addition of these new AI features in China could be particularly important for Apple's business at a time when smartphone sales have slowed somewhat in the global market. Given China's enormous consumer market, strengthening Apple's AI offerings there could help the company maintain its competitiveness.

//DBTech/BMT/OR//