Apple Intelligence Set to Debut in China with Alibaba’s Qwen3 AI Models
Apple is set to roll out its Apple Intelligence platform in China, utilizing Alibaba’s recently launched Qwen3 AI models designed for Apple’s MLX architecture. This announcement signifies the first introduction of Apple Intelligence on devices in China, according to reports from Reuters. While Apple has incorporated support for the Chinese language since iOS 18.4, the AI feature set has not been accessible to users in China until now.
A February report from Bloomberg underscored the partnership between Apple and Alibaba, propelled by mandates from the Chinese government that require local models for Apple’s AI platform. These requirements apply solely to devices bought within China, whereas those obtained internationally will continue to utilize the typical version of Apple Intelligence.
To adhere to governmental regulations, Alibaba will implement censorship and filtering of AI outputs, while Baidu will manage Visual Intelligence and search features. Apple Intelligence includes three main types of AI: on-device models, which are still owned by Apple but incorporate an additional layer of censorship from Alibaba; server-side functionalities managed by GBCD’s iCloud partner; and Visual Intelligence supervised by Baidu.
Though the launch date for Apple Intelligence in China is yet to be announced, it could align with the expected release of iOS 18.6 in about a month, which is currently being tested alongside the iOS 26 beta. The rollout of Apple Intelligence could serve as a key highlight of the iOS 18 update.
For iOS 26, Apple has plans for numerous enhancements, including:
– **ChatGPT Enhancements**: Users can request more information from ChatGPT regarding onscreen content.
– **Visual Intelligence**: Functions now similarly to Gemini’s Circle to Search, allowing users to discover similar images or purchasing options from a screenshot.
– **Genmoji and Image Playground Enhancements**: Users can merge emojis, Genmoji, and descriptions to create unique designs.
These upgrades are expected to enhance the user experience through advanced AI functionalities.
