In a move to strengthen its position in China, Apple has partnered with Alibaba to introduce AI features for iPhone users.
Apple has partnered with Chinese tech giant Alibaba to develop AI features for iPhones in China, aiming to bolster its presence in a highly competitive market. The collaboration follows months of uncertainty over Apple’s AI strategy in the country, where rivals like Huawei have already integrated AI tools into their devices. The move marks a shift from Apple’s earlier preference for Baidu, which reportedly fell short of the company’s expectations.
The partnership could help Apple regain lost ground after a decline in iPhone sales during the holiday season, a period typically strong for the company. The AI-powered features have been submitted for regulatory approval in China, a crucial step before their rollout. Apple’s stock saw a 1.5% rise following the news, while Alibaba’s US-listed shares gained 2.6%.
Apple’s decision to work with Alibaba was reportedly influenced by the e-commerce giant’s vast datasets on user shopping and payment habits, which could enhance AI model training and improve personalised services. As Apple anticipates strong sales growth in the current quarter, this partnership could play a key role in driving renewed demand for iPhones in China.
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