# **Apple Teams Up with Alibaba to Introduce Apple Intelligence in China**
Apple has officially formed a partnership with Alibaba to bring its Apple Intelligence functionalities to iPhone, iPad, and Mac users in China. This collaboration represents a major milestone in Apple’s efforts to expand its artificial intelligence (AI) presence in one of its key markets.
## **Alibaba Confirmed as Apple’s AI Collaborator in China**
In the wake of reports suggesting Apple was looking at Alibaba as its AI partner in China, Alibaba’s chairman, Joe Tsai, confirmed the alliance at the World Government Summit in Dubai. Tsai revealed that Apple assessed various AI firms in China before opting for Alibaba.
“They consulted with several companies in China. Ultimately, they decided to partner with us. They aim to utilize our AI to enhance their devices. We are deeply honored to collaborate with a prestigious company like Apple,” Tsai stated, as reported by *Reuters*.
## **How Will Apple Intelligence Function in China?**
Although the partnership has been established, numerous aspects are still unclear. Apple Intelligence, which debuted in the U.S. with iOS 18.1, utilizes AI models to improve Siri and other system features.
In the U.S., Apple joined forces with OpenAI to incorporate ChatGPT into its AI framework. However, due to stringent regulations on foreign AI systems in China, Apple required a domestic associate to provide similar AI-enhanced experiences locally.
It remains uncertain if Alibaba’s AI models will serve as the default backbone for Apple Intelligence, or if it will operate akin to OpenAI’s ChatGPT approach, where users can choose to enable extra AI functionality. Should it adopt the latter model, Chinese users might only access Apple Intelligence through Alibaba’s systems instead of enjoying comprehensive system-wide AI integration.
## **When Will Apple Intelligence Be Available in China?**
Apple is projected to launch iOS 18.4 in April, bringing support for various new languages, including Chinese. However, it is still unknown if this update will activate Apple Intelligence in China.
Currently, Apple Intelligence requires Siri to be set to American English, but the company has been progressively broadening its reach. If Apple maintains its usual trajectory, Chinese users may need to wait a few additional months before enjoying complete access to Apple Intelligence.
## **What’s Next for Apple’s AI Initiatives?**
Apple is diligently enhancing its AI capabilities, with more sophisticated features anticipated in upcoming updates. Although iOS 18.4 is expected to introduce upgrades such as on-screen awareness for Siri, some of the most impactful AI enhancements might not arrive until iOS 19 or possibly as late as 2026.
As Apple continues to hone its AI strategy, this collaboration with Alibaba is a pivotal maneuver to adhere to Chinese regulations while still providing state-of-the-art AI experiences to its users in the area.
### **Final Thoughts**
Apple’s choice to collaborate with Alibaba highlights the significance of the Chinese market in its AI growth strategy. By harnessing Alibaba’s AI knowledge, Apple can effectively navigate regulatory hurdles while offering advanced AI-driven features to millions of users in China.
With iOS 18.4 on the horizon, all eyes will be on Apple to determine how swiftly it can implement Apple Intelligence in China and if this partnership will pave the way for further AI advancements in the region.
