Investing.com-- Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) plans to launch its artificial intelligence features on Chinese devices by the middle of the year, as it ties up with local firms to meet Chinese regulatory requirements, Bloomberg reported on Friday.
Bloomberg reported that the company has several teams in the U.S. and China working to adapt its AI features- called Apple Intelligence- for Chinese markets, citing people with knowledge of the matter.
The company will use its own AI models, with inputs from Chinese internet giants Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) and Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU), the Bloomberg report said. Earlier reports said the iPhone maker was planning to tie up with the two for its China AI rollout.
Apple is aiming for a launch by as soon as May 2025.
The company’s latest round of iPhone models had launched without Apple’s AI features in China, as Apple was unable to find a local partner in time to comply with Chinese and U.S. regulations.
Under U.S. law, OpenAI- Apple’s AI partner for regions outside China- is not allowed to operate in China.
The company has largely lagged global rivals such as Samsung (KS:005930) in incorporating AI features into its flagship devices.
Apple is also grappling with steadily declining smartphone sales in China- a major market- as it faces heightened competition from local players such as Xiaomi (OTC:XIACF) and Huawei.
Alibaba and Baidu had also recently revealed advanced versions of their AI models, as they rode a wave of optimism over China’s AI capabilities after the release of DeepSeek in late-January.