# Apple Reportedly Trained a China-Specific AI Model With Alibaba's Help for Apple Intelligence > Source: > Published: 2026-08-18 07:50:22+00:00 # Apple Reportedly Trained a China-Specific AI Model With Alibaba's Help for Apple Intelligence [Apple](https://www.ghacks.net/category/companies/apple-companies/) has reportedly trained a large language model for China with help from [Alibaba](https://www.ghacks.net/2026/07/08/alibaba-blocks-claude-code-for-employees-over-hidden-tracking-of-chinese-users-starting-july-10/). This move adds another piece to Apple's plan to bring Apple Intelligence to Chinese users. Three people familiar with the project said Alibaba assisted Apple with the training process. Apple and Alibaba declined to comment. The China-specific model signals a change from Apple's earlier plan to rely only on third-party Chinese AI models for generative AI features in the country. Apple Intelligence is expected to arrive in China in the coming months through an iOS update. No specific date has been announced. ## Apple's China AI System Combines Its Own Model With Local Partners The China-specific model is a change from Apple's earlier approach of depending on domestic Chinese AI models. Services like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude are not available in mainland China. Apple already offers [ChatGPT](https://www.ghacks.net/2026/08/13/openai-expands-chatgpt-ads-test-to-uk-mexico-brazil-japan-and-south-korea/) integration through Apple Intelligence in supported regions. China's Cyberspace Administration registered Apple Intelligence on July 15, 2026, as one of seven on-device generative AI services for smartphones. Registration is required before generative AI services can launch publicly in China, but the approval did not include a launch date. Alibaba's Qwen family of AI models is expected to be part of Apple Intelligence on compatible iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Vision Pro devices in China. Alibaba confirmed the Qwen integration in July. Baidu also said it is working with Apple on Apple Intelligence features for Chinese iPhone users. Apple's proprietary China model adds another layer to the system. There are no details yet about what tasks Apple's model will handle, how it will work with Qwen, or how Baidu's technology will fit into the final version. Apple had already introduced a more limited Qwen option for Mac users in mainland China. On August 8, Apple published a Chinese-language guide explaining how Mac users running macOS 26.6 or later could connect Qwen to Siri and Writing Tools. The guide said users needed to activate the Qwen extension and sign in to a Qwen account. After that, Siri could use Qwen for more detailed responses, including analysis of photos and documents. Apple later removed the guide without explanation. ## Apple's Alibaba Partnership and Broader AI Foundation Apple's relationship with Alibaba became public in February 2025, when Alibaba Chairman Joe Tsai confirmed the companies were working together on AI features for iPhones in China. Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Tsai said, "They talked to a number of companies in China. In the end they chose to do business with us." If launched, Apple would become the first foreign company approved by Beijing to offer a proprietary AI model in China. Apple has also changed the technical foundation for its AI services outside China. In January, Apple and Google entered a multi-year partnership, with [Google Gemini](https://www.ghacks.net/2026/08/06/google-sets-september-4-removal-date-for-google-assistant-on-mobile-as-gemini-takes-over/) providing the base for future Apple Foundation Models. At WWDC 2026, Apple confirmed that its next-generation Foundation Models were custom-built with Google and Gemini, powering Apple Intelligence features through on-device processing and Apple's Private Cloud Compute infrastructure. ChatGPT is still available as an Apple Intelligence extension in supported regions. Apple is also preparing its rebuilt Siri AI for iOS 27, with the public beta 3 already including the new Siri experience. Apple says Siri AI will be available in beta later in 2026 for supported devices set to English, with more languages planned after that. ### What Apple Has Not Confirmed About Its China AI Model Apple and Alibaba have not commented on the China-specific model, and the report relies on sources familiar with the work. Apple has not explained how its new China model, Alibaba's Qwen, and Baidu's technology will divide tasks in the China version of Apple Intelligence. Neither Apple nor Chinese regulators have announced when Apple Intelligence will launch in China. The July 15 registration cleared only one required regulatory step.