China approves Alibaba AI models for Apple Intelligence rollout
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has approved Alibaba’s Qwen language models and Tongyi Wanxiang image and video tool, clearing a key regulatory step for Apple Intelligence to launch in mainland China. The move matters because Apple’s AI features have been absent from a major market since their US debut nearly two years ago, in part because of China’s AI and privacy rules.
Apple had already received clearance to offer Apple Intelligence in mainland China in July, but has not yet launched it there. Updated filings include network access permits for the iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro; the iPhone Duo is due to launch in China next week, with an upgraded Siri among its headline features. Qwen is expected to support Apple Intelligence on compatible iPhones, iPads, Macs and Vision Pro devices sold in China.
- China approved Alibaba AI models for Apple Intelligence.
- Apple’s AI features have yet to launch on the mainland.
- The iPhone Duo is due in China next week.
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Apple Intelligence is Apple’s set of AI features, including tools built into Siri and ways to create or work with text and images. It relies on language and image models, which are systems trained to understand or generate content.
Alibaba is a Chinese technology company whose Qwen models handle language tasks and whose Tongyi Wanxiang tool creates images and video. In mainland China, companies must meet local rules for AI services and data privacy, so foreign firms may need to work with an approved local provider.
Apple sells iPhones and other devices in China, a major market, but its AI features have not been available there since their launch elsewhere. The approvals form part of the regulatory process for making those features available on compatible Apple devices in the country.
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Originally published by Engadget as “Alibaba AI models cleared for use in Apple Intelligence in China just in time for the iPhone Duo launch”.