Apple is currently exploring potential partnerships with Tencent and ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, to enhance its AI capabilities in China. These discussions are reportedly in the preliminary stages, and there remains a possibility that they may not result in a formal agreement.
To roll out AI features in China, Apple must collaborate with a local partner due to stringent regulations requiring government approval for generative AI services. The Chinese government typically favors domestic companies in granting these permits, making local partnerships essential for foreign firms.
Recently, Apple implemented ChatGPT into Apple Intelligence, yet access to ChatGPT is restricted in China for the same regulatory reasons.
A potential collaboration with a Chinese firm could significantly boost its prominence within China's competitive AI landscape.
Previously, Apple engaged in discussions with Baidu, but reports suggest these negotiations encountered obstacles due to technical disagreements, particularly regarding the use of iPhone user data for AI model training.
Without AI functionalities on iPhones in China, Apple faces a growing challenge as it experiences a decline in market share within this critical smartphone market.
