Apple has trained its own large language model for the China market, rather than relying on a third-party model to power its Apple Intelligence features in the country, reports Reuters.
The LLM has been developed with the help of Alibaba, the article adds. The development marks a break from Apple’s previous strategy of relying on domestic models to bring generative AI to its devices sold in China, notes MacRumors.
On a related note, earlier this month it was reported that Apple has published a guide explaining how eligible Mac users in mainland China can connect Alibaba’s Qwen artificial-intelligence service to its own Siri digital assistant and Writing Tools feature.
The Mac-specific arrangement could help Apple compete in China’s AI PC market, where it has been losing market share as domestic manufacturers such as Lenovo have promoted locally developed AI features, according to Reuters.
However, Apple may face issues with its Alibaba ties. In May The New York Times reported that the White House and congressional officials are scrutinizing Apple’s partnership with Chinese tech giant Alibaba to bring AI features to iPhones in China. The Apple-Alibaba deal was announced in February when Alibaba Group chairman Joe Tsai confirmed the deal. Apple Intelligence in China will rely on Alibaba’s Qwen model, satisfying the Chinese government’s preference for a China-based AI model.
Alibaba is one of the world’s largest retailers and e-commerce companies. In 2020, it was also rated as the fifth-largest artificial intelligence company.
However, the Trump administration says it’s concerned that the deal would help a Chinese company improve its artificial intelligence abilities, broaden the reach of Chinese chatbots with censorship limits and deepen Apple’s exposure to Beijing laws over censorship and data sharing.
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