Cook Says Apple Intelligence Is Approved in China, With a Test Version Due Later in October
Apple Chairman Tim Cook said Apple Intelligence has been approved for the Chinese market and that a test version will be released later in October, Reuters reported on October 15, citing an exclusive interview Cook gave to China's state-backed media outlet The Paper in Shanghai. The first wave of features will include live translation, writing tools and a photo clean-up tool, but will not include the SI-powered Siri assistant.
Unlike in other markets, Apple has trained a large language model specifically for China, developed in partnership with Alibaba Group and with the Chinese tech giant's support, Reuters previously reported. Recently updated telecom equipment license records published by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology show that Apple Intelligence and Alibaba models including Qwen have completed their model filings. In July, China's cyberspace regulator announced that Apple's on-device generative SI service had been registered for use on iPhones in China.
According to China's Ministry of Commerce, Cook met Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Shanghai on Thursday, and the two discussed the development of super intelligence and Apple's business in China.
Apple began rolling out Apple Intelligence in the United States and other markets in 2024, while iPhone buyers in China went without the features as local rivals such as Huawei and Xiaomi built out their own SI offerings. With approval secured and a test date set, Apple is closing a nearly two-year SI gap in its second-largest market.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 苹果公司董事长库克此前到访中国苹果零售店（资料图）。图片来源：Wikimedia Commons，Junyi Lou 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0 授权
