Apple AI tools begin trial rollout in China

Apple began a trial rollout of its Apple Intelligence tools for Chinese users on Wednesday, starting with developers after a two-year delay in one of the company's major markets.

The company said public access to Apple Intelligence services in China will come in December. The initial release includes 18 artificial intelligence features, including live translation of phone calls and tools to summarise and proofread messages, but not the latest upgrade to Siri.

Apple said it will work with Alibaba's Qwen to add more powerful AI features to devices in China alongside its own basic AI tools.

The company first released Apple Intelligence in the United States and other countries in autumn 2024. Its launch in China was delayed by regulatory requirements and by the absence in the country of models from Google and OpenAI that Apple has used elsewhere.

Chinese rules require AI service providers to register with the country's internet watchdog, use local data centres and process data domestically. Apple secured regulatory approval in July, according to the supplied information.

Ivan Lam, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, said the rollout fills a gap in Apple's AI offering but does not necessarily give the company a major advantage in China's crowded smartphone market.