Apple (Apple Inc.) has officially announced that it has received regulatory approval in China to launch Apple Intelligence, the company’s generative artificial intelligence system, in partnership with Alibaba and integrating the Qwen model into iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. This news opens a new door to a massive market with hundreds of millions of users.
What is Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is Apple’s artificial intelligence system launched in 2024 to operate directly on its devices (on-device). It offers features such as:
- AI-powered photo editing
- Text rewriting and summarization
- Image understanding and content analysis
- Text and visual content generation
- Smart assistant integrated into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS
Details of the Apple and Alibaba Agreement
On July 15, 2026, the Cyberspace Administration of China registered the Apple Intelligence service, marking the final official approval after months of negotiations. The approval includes:
- Integration of the Qwen model from Alibaba into iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS systems
- AI-powered text and image processing directly on the device
- Generation of text and visual content for Chinese users
- Compliance with Chinese AI laws and regulations
Before this partnership, Apple had been negotiating with Baidu, DeepSeek, and ByteDance but faced difficulties adapting the models to the needs of the Chinese market. The Qwen3 model, compatible with Apple’s MLX architecture, was the decisive factor in finalizing the deal.
Why is this important for Saudi and Arab users?
You may wonder: what does this news have to do with Saudi Arabia? The connection is bigger than you think:
- The Qwen model is the same one that the Saudi Ministry of Communications announced a partnership with Moonshot AI last week, confirming the importance of Chinese models in the region
- It indicates that the AI race is global and not limited to America, with China being a leading country in this field
- Major companies like Apple partnering with Chinese firms shows a trend toward diverse AI models in the market
- Saudi Arabia itself is heavily investing in AI, and this news reinforces the importance of building local AI capabilities
Apple’s sales inHuge numbers
China is a vital market for Apple. In the second quarter of 2026, Apple’s sales in Greater China rose by 28% to reach $20.5 billion. Apple also reclaimed the second position in the Chinese smartphone market after offering significant discounts. The launch of Apple Intelligence in the Chinese market will further boost these sales.
FAQs
Who needs Apple Intelligence in China?
Anyone owning an iPhone, iPad, or Mac in China will get on-device generative AI features directly on their device. Saudi and other Arab users traveling or residing in China will also benefit.
Where will Apple Intelligence be available in China?
It will be available across all Apple devices running iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS sold in Greater China, with Qwen features primarily supporting Chinese language.
How much does Apple Intelligence cost in China?
Apple has not announced any additional cost, and core features are expected to be free as a built-in feature in the system, similar to the rest of the world. Some paid features may be introduced later.
How long did it take to get approval?
Negotiations began in 2025 and took over a year of discussions with multiple companies (Baidu, DeepSeek, and ByteDance) before reaching an agreement with Alibaba. Official approval was issued on July 15, 2026.
How do I use Apple Intelligence on my device?
Automatically — AI features will be part of future system updates. Once the update is activated, new options will appear in apps like Photos, Notes, Mail, and the Siri voice assistant.
Conclusion
The entry of Apple Intelligence into China through the Alibaba Qwen partnership is not just a business story — it is an indicator of a global shift toward diversifying AI sources. At a time when Saudi Arabia is striving to become a regional AI hub, understanding these global dynamics has become essential for anyone interested in technology.
