China to get Apple Intelligence as Alibaba deal is confirmed

Craig Federighi launches Apple Intelligence

The rumored collaboration between Apple and Alibaba to get Apple Intelligence in China has now been confirmed, sending Alibaba shares rising to a new high.

China has regulatory rules regarding the use of AI models, with the practical effect that a US company effectively has to find a Chinese partner. It was previously rumored that Apple was in talks with Alibaba, and according to Reuters, that company’s chair has now announced the collaboration.

“They talked to a number of companies in China,” Alibaba chair Joseph C. Tsai said at the 2025 World Government Summit in Dubai. “In the end they chose to do business with us.”

“They want to use our AI to power their phones,” continued Tsai. “We feel extremely honoured to do business with a great company like Apple.”

Apple has not commented and no further details have been released. Consequently, it’s not yet known whether the Chinese version of Apple Intelligence will retain its links to ChatGPT and other services.

The collaboration between Apple and Alibaba will significantly ease the difficulties Apple would have faced trying to get Chinese regulatory approval for Apple Intelligence. However, the two companies still have to apply for that approval, and reportedly they have begun the application process.

Shares in Alibaba, as listed in Hong Kong, rose by 9.2%. It ended the day at HK$124.3 (approximately $16), which is its highest since January 2022.

Choosing Alibaba

Chair Tsai is correct that Apple discussed collaboration with a number of other Chinese companies before coming to Alibaba. Specifically, Apple talked with Tencent and TikTok owner ByteDance, about using their AI models for Apple Intelligence in the region.

Apple had appeared to be set on working with Baidu, but there were technical issues. There were also reportedly differences of opinion over privacy concerns.

It’s not known how long it will take Apple and Alibaba to complete their collaboration and also get Chinese approval. But, separately, Apple has set a goal of providing Apple Intelligence localized to simplified Chinese by April 2025 — for users outside China.

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