The model was developed in partnership with Alibaba Group, with the Chinese technology company providing support during the training process, the sources said. They declined to be named because the details of the project are sensitive and have not been made public.
Apple's decision to train its own China-specific AI model has not previously been reported. The move signals a potential change from the company's earlier strategy of depending primarily on models developed by Chinese technology partners to bring generative AI features to iPhones and other devices sold in the country.
Apple faces a unique challenge in China because several leading U.S. AI services, including OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude, are not available there. In markets such as the United States, Apple has integrated external AI technologies with its own systems as part of Apple Intelligence.
Apple Intelligence, the company's collection of artificial intelligence features, is expected to become available in China in the coming months following an update to its iOS operating system, according to the people familiar with the matter.
Apple and Alibaba did not respond to requests for comment.
Greater Control Over Apple's AI Experience
Developing a model specifically for China could give Apple greater control over how its AI services operate in the company's largest and most competitive overseas market.
Apple has faced increasing competition from Chinese smartphone manufacturers, particularly Huawei, which has moved aggressively to integrate AI capabilities into its devices. The lack of Apple's AI features on iPhones sold in China has also been viewed as a disadvantage as local consumers increasingly encounter smartphones equipped with domestic AI assistants.
Apple's planned approach represents a dual-track strategy. While the company would continue working with Chinese technology firms and their AI models, its own China-focused model could give it greater control over the underlying technology and user experience.
The strategy could also help Apple navigate China's strict regulatory environment, which has created significant barriers for many foreign technology companies seeking to deploy generative AI services in the country.
If approved for deployment as a proprietary system, Apple's China-specific model would represent a notable development for a foreign technology company operating in China's tightly regulated AI market. It would also underscore the unusual level of cooperation between U.S. and Chinese technology companies despite growing tensions between Washington and Beijing over artificial intelligence and advanced technology.
Regulatory Approval Clears Path for AI Rollout
The development comes after Apple completed a lengthy regulatory process in China. Last month, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the country's internet regulator, registered Apple's generative AI service, clearing an important hurdle for Apple Intelligence to become available on Chinese iPhones.
Under the existing arrangement, Alibaba's Qwen model is expected to be incorporated into the Chinese version of Apple Intelligence for compatible iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro devices. Apple is also expected to use technology from Baidu as part of its AI offering in China, Reuters reported in July.
Apple has already begun testing ways to connect Alibaba's AI technology with some of its products. Last week, the company published a Chinese-language guide explaining how eligible Mac users in mainland China could connect Qwen with Siri and Apple's Writing Tools feature.
The guide was subsequently removed by Apple without an explanation. The brief publication nevertheless highlighted the company's efforts to adapt its AI ecosystem to China's market and regulatory requirements.
Investor interest in the Apple-Alibaba relationship was also evident after Alibaba's U.S.-listed shares rose about 4% in premarket trading following news of the regulatory registration in July.
Apple Seeks AI Boost in China
Apple's partnership with Alibaba was first publicly confirmed in February 2025, when Alibaba chairman Joe Tsai disclosed at the World Governments Summit in Dubai that Apple would use the Chinese company's AI technology to power its devices in China.
"They talked to a number of companies in China. In the end they chose to do business with us," Tsai said at the time.
The rollout was later delayed as Apple worked to ensure its AI features complied with China's regulatory requirements.
China remains a crucial market for Apple, contributing a significant portion of the company's global business. However, the absence of Apple Intelligence on Chinese iPhones has become an increasing concern as consumers have shown greater interest in domestic brands offering AI-powered features.
It remains unclear how Apple's internally trained model will operate alongside Alibaba's Qwen and other third-party Chinese AI models, or how the different technologies will ultimately be integrated into Apple Intelligence.
Still, the development suggests Apple is seeking a more independent position in China's rapidly evolving AI market while continuing to rely on local partners to meet regulatory and technological requirements.