Alibaba · Apple · China · TechCrunch AI
Apple Intelligence approved for launch in China with Alibaba’s Qwen AI
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◎ Multiple-sources
Apple Intelligence, the iPhone maker’s generative AI offering, is coming to China.
Key facts
- In the second quarter, Apple sales in Greater China increased 28% to $20.5 billion
- This led to delays in getting Apple Intelligence features, which debuted in 2024, to the Chinese market
- U.S. shares of Alibaba rose 4% in pre-market trading on news of the deal, and are now up by over 6%, as of the time of publication
- Apple Intelligence, the iPhone maker’s generative AI offering, is coming to China
Summary
The deal, which was rumored to be in the works last year, marks an important step for Apple’s AI ambitions in a key market. Before working with Alibaba, Apple was reportedly exploring a deal with Baidu, but faced issues adapting its models for Chinese customers. Alibaba confirmed the company’s news to CNBC saying that Qwen would be “integrated into Apple Intelligence experiences,” but did not provide a timeframe. U.S. shares of Alibaba rose 4% in pre-market trading on news of the deal, and are now up by over 6%, as of the time of publication.