Apple Intelligence Gets China Regulatory Clearance, Alibaba's Qwen to Power AI Features.
Apple Intelligence received regulatory clearance in China, with Alibaba confirming its Qwen AI model will be integrated across Apple's platforms. The approval follows a lengthy process since the service was announced in 2024.
China's Cyberspace Administration has added Apple's AI service to its list of approved providers, a requirement for any company offering large language models or generative AI services to the public in China. The regulator did not specify a launch date.
Alibaba's Qwen model will be integrated into Apple Intelligence across i OS, i Pad OS, mac OS and vision OS for users in China, an Alibaba spokesperson said. The integration will allow users to access Qwen's capabilities, including text and image generation, directly within Apple's interface without opening a separate application.
The Cyberspace Administration's approved list also includes products from Chinese companies such as Huawei.
Apple did not respond to requests for comment. The approval follows a lengthy regulatory process after Apple first introduced Apple Intelligence in 2024. The service had been delayed in China while the company worked to meet local regulatory requirements.
According to a Baidu spokesperson, Apple is also collaborating with Baidu to develop Apple Intelligence features for i Phone users in China.
The technological rivalry between the United States and China has intensified in recent months as both countries compete for leadership in artificial intelligence. Earlier this month, Alibaba prohibited employees from using AI models from Anthropic and other U.S. providers.