- Apple will use its own AI model outside China but turn to locally-built technology for the mainland.
- The development comes amid Apple chief executive Tim Cook’s visit to China, during which he opened a new retail store in Shanghai.
US tech giant Apple has picked Chinese search engine giant Baidu to provide the generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology for its coming iPhone 16 and other products in the mainland market this year.
The cooperation
Apple will use Baidu’s Ernie Bot for its iPhone 16, Mac OS and iOS 18 in China, following talks with other Chinese companies, including Alibaba Group Holding and an artificial intelligence company affiliated with Tsinghua University, according to a report on Monday by China Star Market, a media outlet under Shanghai United Media Group.
Apple will use its own AI model outside China but turn to locally-built technology for the mainland market based on compliance considerations, the report said.
The local media article followed a report on Friday by the Wall Street Journal that said Apple had held initial talks with search engine giant Baidu to use the Chinese firm’s generative AI on its iPhone and other products in China.
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Tim Cook in China
This development comes at a time when Apple CEO Tim Cook is visiting China. Cook opened a new retail shop in Shanghai and met with key Chinese suppliers to reaffirm his commitment to China as a market and manufacturing base.
On Sunday, Cook lauded the “huge contribution” that Chinese suppliers have made to the iPhone maker’s carbon-neutral goals at a high-profile summit hosted by the Chinese government and attended by Premier Li Qiang.
Cook also said at the conference that the company plans to launch the Vision Pro mixed reality headset in the mainland Chinese market later this year, CCTV reported on Sunday.
