Apple and Alibaba train AI model for China

Apple has developed a custom AI model for the Chinese market in partnership with Alibaba, Reuters reported, citing three people familiar with the matter. The model was trained with Alibaba’s support, marking a rare collaboration between a U.S. technology company and a Chinese firm amid rising Washington-Beijing tensions.

The move departs from Apple’s previous China strategy of relying on domestic Chinese AI models to bring generative features to its devices, because U.S. models such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT are unavailable in China. Owning the model gives Apple greater control over its products in the competitive Chinese smartphone market.

Apple is gearing up to release Apple Intelligence in China. Sources told Reuters the service is expected to roll out later in 2026 after an update to its iOS operating system. Apple registered the on-device generative AI service with China’s cyberspace regulator in July 2026, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for device rollout.

China requires AI models to be registered and cleared by the government before public release. If approved, Apple would become the first U.S. company approved to offer a proprietary AI model in China, according to Reuters. The Alibaba partnership could help Apple navigate Beijing’s regulatory landscape.

Apple did not immediately respond to The Verge’s request for comment.