After unsuccessful negotiations with DeepSeek and Bytedance, Apple decided to establish cooperation with the Chinese technology giant Alibaba. The move is part of the company's new strategy to strengthen its position in the Chinese market, where competition with local brands such as Huawei is becoming increasingly acute.
Initially, Apple planned to integrate AI models from Baidu, but technical difficulties and compatibility issues forced the company to reconsider its plans. The lack of Apple Intelligence — a key feature for the iOS ecosystem-was one of the reasons for the 11% drop in iPhone sales in China. This was announced by Apple CEO Tim Cook, noting that competitors quickly filled this technological gap.
The partnership with Alibaba will allow Apple to quickly implement new AI solutions that will be adapted to the requirements of the Chinese market. This agreement is especially important against the background of the expected release of the fourth-generation iPhone SE, a model traditionally popular in China and India due to its affordable price.
Apple's new strategy is aimed at restoring lost ground and strengthening the brand in one of the most competitive regions in the world.
