Alibaba AI models cleared for use in Apple Intelligence in China just in time for the iPhone Duo launch

What happened

Apple's integrated AI system is still yet to be rolled out in mainland China, despite launching nearly two years ago. Big Tech Apple Alibaba AI models cleared for use in Apple Intelligence in China just in time for the iPhone Duo launch Apple’s integrated AI system is still yet to be rolled out in mainland China, despite launching nearly two years ago. Apple is a software and consumer electronics company based in Cupertino. Alibaba is an e-commerce company based in Binjiang District.

Apple had already received clearance to roll out Apple Intelligence on the Chinese mainland back in July, but the South China Morning Post 's report says it has not yet done so. 14, 2026 11:36 am EST Apple Add Engadget on Google: Preferred Source Google Discover Apple Intelligence will soon be making its way to supported iPhone models in China, as the country reportedly rubber stamps the use of Alibaba AI models to power the technology. As reported by the South China Morning Post , which is owned by the Alibaba Group, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has given regulatory approval for Tongyi Qianwen, the group of LLMs better known as Qwen, as well as the Tongyi Wanxiang AI-generated image and video tool.