Apple, with support from Alibaba, is developing an AI model specifically for China, making it highly likely to become the first foreign company to offer its own AI model in China.

Sources familiar with the matter have revealed that Apple has partnered with Chinese IT giant Alibaba to develop its own AI model for the Chinese market. Apple had planned to use an AI model developed by a Chinese partner company for iPhones sold in China, but sources say that its own AI model is scheduled to be released in China in the coming months when an iOS update is rolled out.

EXCLUSIVE: Apple trains its own AI model for China market with Alibaba's support, sources say | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/apple-trains-its-own-ai-model-china-market-with-alibabas-support-sources-say-2026-08-14/

Apple's new AI split means your iOS app could behave differently in China - The New Stack
https://thenewstack.io/apple-china-ai-model/

Apple processes requests on local or private servers in most parts of the world using its own 'Foundation Models.' Apple product users can also perform AI processing using ChatGPT. It has also been announced that Google's Gemini will be available in iOS 27 and macOS 27, scheduled for release in the fall of 2026.

On the other hand, since these options are not available in China, Apple was forced to rely on models developed or approved within China.

Apple Intelligence, a personal AI for iPhones, was announced in 2024, but approval for its introduction in China was delayed due to tensions with the United States. In July 2026, the Chinese government finally approved Apple Intelligence for iPhones, but an Alibaba representative explained that the AI model used would be Alibaba's Qwen.

Chinese authorities approve the introduction of 'Apple Intelligence,' possibly utilizing Alibaba's AI 'Qwen' - GIGAZINE

Amid this situation, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters that 'Apple is working with Alibaba to develop an AI model specifically for the Chinese market.'

If this report is true, Apple would become the first foreign company to be approved to offer its own AI models in China.

Reuters points out that 'if China adopts the model, Apple will have stronger control over the AI experience in its most competitive overseas market. Apple's plan demonstrates a unique dual strategy against foreign AI companies entering China, which will allow it to overcome the tough regulatory barriers that limit access for many other American technology companies.'

On the other hand, The New Stack states that splitting Apple Intelligence into two regional architectures could complicate testing for developers. The same app running on the same version of iOS and using the same Apple framework may behave differently depending on where the device is sold or used. They point out that if Apple changes the underlying model of that framework, code that worked fine during testing may not work the same way in China.

Furthermore, if a response is blocked by content filtering, it may be impossible to determine whether it is due to Apple's model, Qwen, or another moderation system. Therefore, The New Stack stated that Apple needs to clearly define the AI models used on devices operating in China.