When Apple Intelligence launches in China, it will use a large language model made by Apple, instead of being based on either Google Gemini or the Chinese Qwen.
The Chinese version of Apple Intelligence will utilize Qwen, but according to Reuters, the main LLM will be one trained by Apple. The training was done in partnership with Alibaba, but this is still a departure from Apple predominantly adopting another firm's models.
In the US and most territories, Apple Intelligence uses Google Gemini technology, although its Foundation Models are still entirely Apple's. Apple has also offered ChatGPT extensions for Siri, but neither that nor Gemini or Anthropic's Claude are available in China.
China recently approved Apple Intelligence for use in the country, although it has yet to roll out and there may be further regulatory hurdles. Nonetheless, this new report means that Apple is expected to be the first company to launch a proprietary AI model in China.
Even so, Alibaba's Qwen model is to be included in some way for Apple devices sold in the country. There will also be technology from Baidu, another local Chinese firm.
All of this is necessary because of how complex China's laws about AI are. In theory, a US firm could comply with the stringent regulations, but in practice an AI company wanting to enter the Chinese market has to partner with local firms.
There is also the issue of censorship in China. It has previously been reported that Alibaba will censor Apple Intelligence in the country, and that will presumably apply to the use of both Qwen and Apple's own model.
Apple Intelligence is now expected to be launched in China shortly, although Apple has not announced a schedule. The service did briefly launch in March, apparently accidentally, showing that it is ready.
Similarly, Apple Support recently published a guide to using Qwen on a Mac, but then removed it.
China has always been a major market for Apple, although for many years sales of iPhones declined steeply. That trend has recently been reversed, however, with the iPhone 17 range proving to be even more popular in China than Apple expected.
