Apple collaborates with Alibaba to introduce AI features for iPhones in China

Reports indicate that Apple and Alibaba have already submitted their jointly developed AI features for approval by Chinese regulators, aiming to integrate them into future iOS updates

In a strategic move to expand its artificial intelligence (AI) offerings in China, Apple has announced a major collaboration with Alibaba aimed at navigating the country’s strict regulatory environment. While Apple’s AI integration in smartphones has rolled out slowly, primarily in select English-speaking countries, China’s complex regulations on AI models have made the country a challenging market. Rather than entering the market alone, Apple has teamed up with Alibaba, a dominant Chinese tech giant, to develop a localized version of its iPhone AI features that aligns with government rules.

Teaming up for regulatory approval

Reports indicate that Apple and Alibaba have already submitted their jointly developed AI features for approval by Chinese regulators, aiming to integrate them into future iOS updates. If approved, the partnership could significantly improve Apple’s position in China, where iPhone sales have struggled since 2024. The collaboration with Alibaba provides Apple with vital local expertise to meet China’s regulatory requirements, offering AI integration in smartphones that resonates with the local market.

Navigating past challenges in China’s AI market

Before settling on Alibaba, Apple explored several potential partnerships with major Chinese players like Baidu, Tencent, and ByteDance. However, each attempt fell through due to various challenges. In December 2024, a potential partnership with Baidu collapsed over privacy concerns, as Baidu required access to more user data to enhance its AI models—something Apple was unwilling to allow. Following this, Apple shifted focus to Alibaba tech innovations, whose strength lies in AI integration in smartphones through its large-scale dataset from e-commerce platforms like Taobao and Tmall.

Alibaba's strength in AI personalization

Alibaba’s ability to personalize AI services using its vast dataset has made it the ideal partner for Apple in China’s competitive smartphone market. With access to user behavior and purchasing data from its popular platforms, Alibaba can create more tailored and relevant AI experiences for Chinese users, aligning with Apple’s goal of offering intuitive and deeply integrated iPhone AI features.

Looking ahead

With a target to launch Apple Intelligence in simplified Chinese by April 2025, Apple is positioning itself for broader AI integration beyond China. While full regulatory approval for the mainland is still pending, the Apple and Alibaba collaboration marks a crucial step toward overcoming China’s regulatory challenges and could boost Apple’s presence in the China smartphone market.