When Apple introduced iOS 18, it introduced an AI feature named "Apple Intelligence," which, however, originates from OpenAI and cannot be deployed in the Chinese market.

To implement AI functionality in China, Apple must collaborate with a local AI enterprise to ensure data security and more. This has sparked various rumors about potential partners, including Tencent, Doubao, and ERNIE Bot.

Recently, however, news emerged that Apple chose to partner with Alibaba. According to The Information, Apple has reached an agreement with Alibaba to provide AI capabilities to Chinese iPhone users.

Alibaba has long had an AI large model, Tongyi (formerly known as "Tongyi Qianwen"), which was officially launched on September 13, 2023, making it one of the earliest AI large models in China. However, it is primarily used by industry users and embedded in Alibaba Cloud, so it isn't widely accessible to general consumers.

Apple's choice of Alibaba is likely due to the latter's strength, especially in terms of the data support Alibaba Cloud can provide and its robust concurrent volume during events like Double 11.

Apple's partner must possess sufficient technical prowess, and Alibaba certainly fits the bill. Moreover, serving a client as significant as Apple requires both human resources and experience, areas where Deepseek, a relatively new startup, falls short.

Additionally, Alibaba being a US-listed company makes it a natural choice for Apple.

Apple's performance in the Chinese market has been dismal, with sales down 25% and revenue down 11% in the fourth quarter, hitting a four-year low in market share. For Apple, implementing AI quickly is crucial to see if it can boost sales. According to Apple's announcement, this might occur in April. It is rumored that the AI function jointly developed by Apple and Alibaba has been submitted for review by relevant domestic departments. We eagerly await the outcome to see how powerful this collaboration will be.