Reportedly: Apple Intelligence to integrate Alibaba Qwen large model, test version in China by late October
Reported by Leiphone · not yet confirmed by the company or a second independent outlet. We update this page when it is.
Apple's Tim Cook said Apple Intelligence and Alibaba's Qwen large model have been approved and a test version will be released in China in late October, Leiphone reported. The test version includes real-time translation, writing tools, and photo cleanup, but not Siri AI.
China context
- Original name
- 苹果智能
- Outside China
- Not stated in the sources yet
- Claims
- Company-reported; not yet independently evaluated
- For builders
- Developers targeting the Chinese market may need to integrate with Alibaba's Qwen model or similar domestic models to comply with regulations and offer AI features.
- For investors
- Investors should monitor the adoption of Apple Intelligence in China and its impact on Apple's market share, as well as Alibaba's model licensing revenue.
Translated from Chinese. Quotes and facts link to the original sources.
On October 15, Apple Board Executive Chairman Tim Cook visited Shanghai and told media that Apple Intelligence and the related Alibaba Qwen large model have been approved. A test version will be released in China in late October, including first-batch Apple Intelligence features such as real-time translation, writing tools, and photo cleanup tools. Siri AI is not included this time. Cook said, "But we are very happy that the first batch of core Apple Intelligence features can slowly go online."
The integration of Alibaba's Qwen large model into Apple Intelligence suggests Apple is using a domestic Chinese model to comply with local regulations and provide AI features in China. The initial feature set focuses on on-device or cloud-based utilities like translation and writing assistance, while Siri AI is excluded, indicating a phased rollout.
Apple gains a path to offer AI features in China by partnering with Alibaba, which could help it compete with local smartphone makers that already have AI capabilities. For Alibaba, this partnership validates its Qwen model and could increase its adoption among international tech companies.
This partnership allows Apple to enter the Chinese AI market, potentially boosting iPhone sales in China. For Alibaba, it provides a high-profile use case for Qwen, which could attract more enterprise customers.
The test version's release in late October will be a key signal to watch. If successful, Apple may expand features and eventually include Siri AI. The partnership's impact on Alibaba's model adoption and Apple's market position in China will become clearer after the test version is available.