Apple's China AI Not Just for Siri: Apple Training Proprietary Large Model for Chinese Market

According to Dongzha Beating monitoring, Reuters cited three sources as saying that Apple has trained its own large language model for the Chinese market, with assistance from Alibaba in its development and training. This model, which has never been revealed before, marks Apple's shift away from relying solely on third-party models in China.

Previously, the disclosed plan was to integrate Alibaba's Qwen into the China version of Apple Intelligence, in conjunction with Baidu's technology. Apple's generative AI service completed regulatory registration in China in July, and Apple Intelligence is expected to go live in China in the coming months through an iOS update.

It now appears that Apple in China will pursue two parallel paths: incorporating local technologies like Qianwen while also maintaining its own China-specific model. However, it is currently unclear how Apple's self-trained model, Qianwen, and Baidu will ultimately collaborate. Last week, Apple also released and then deleted a guide on integrating Mac with Qwen.

Reuters stated that if this plan materializes, Apple will become the first foreign company approved by Beijing to provide its own AI model in China.