Apple trains custom AI model for China with Alibaba's help

According to Reuters, citing three unnamed sources, Apple has trained a custom large language model for China in partnership with Alibaba, which supported the training. This development is a departure from Apple's prior approach in the country, where it relied on domestic Chinese models because US models like OpenAI's ChatGPT are not available. Apple is preparing to launch its on-device generative AI service, Apple Intelligence, in China, with sources indicating it could arrive in the coming months after an iOS update. Apple has already registered the service with China's cyberspace regulator, clearing a major regulatory hurdle. This partnership would make Apple the first US company approved to offer a proprietary AI model in China, potentially easing navigation of Beijing's strict AI regulations, especially amid escalating US-China tensions. Apple has not commented on the report.