BEIJING: Apple on Wednesday began a long-delayed trial rollout of its artificial intelligence (AI) tools for Chinese users, seeking to catch up with domestic smartphone manufacturers in one of its most important markets.
The on-device features, branded as Apple Intelligence, were first introduced in the United States and several other countries in autumn 2024, marking the company’s major entry into generative AI.
However, stringent Chinese regulatory requirements and the unavailability of major US AI services, including those from Google and OpenAI, delayed the technology’s introduction in China.
To expand its AI capabilities in the country, Apple has announced a partnership with Alibaba’s Qwen, allowing it to integrate more advanced AI features into its devices alongside its own basic offerings.
Wednesday’s trial rollout is initially limited to developers, while public access to Apple Intelligence services in China is expected to begin in December, the company said in a statement over the weekend.
The delayed launch fills a longstanding gap in Apple’s AI offering in China, said Ivan Lam, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research. However, he cautioned that it would not necessarily give the company a significant competitive advantage in the crowded market.
The initial release includes 18 AI features, ranging from live translation of phone calls to tools for summarising and proofreading messages. However, the latest upgrade to Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, is not included.
Chinese regulations require AI service providers to register with the country’s internet watchdog. They also impose requirements for the use of local data centres and domestic data processing.
Apple secured regulatory approval in July after reportedly holding discussions with Chinese technology companies, including Alibaba, Baidu, ByteDance and Tencent, over potential partnerships.
Major US AI companies, including Google, OpenAI and Anthropic, have either restricted or blocked access to their services in China and are unlikely to receive regulatory clearance under the current framework.
Zhang Yi, founder of research firm iiMedia, described Apple’s decision to work with local partners as a significant concession, saying it reflected the company’s reduced control over pricing and the AI experience in the Chinese market.
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He said the delay was not caused by shortcomings in Apple’s research and development but rather by the costs of regulatory compliance.
Despite reporting a 21 per cent increase in revenue from the Greater China region, which includes Hong Kong and Taiwan, in the previous quarter, Apple’s new chief executive, John Ternus, faces considerable challenges in an increasingly competitive market.
Research firm Omdia estimates that more than 110 million iPhones in China are compatible with Apple Intelligence, providing a substantial potential user base.
However, Chinese smartphone manufacturers and internet companies are also rapidly developing AI-powered features and integrated digital ecosystems, said Zhong Xiaolei, a senior analyst at Omdia.
