Apple is in early talks with Tencent and ByteDance to add their artificial intelligence (AI) tools to iPhones sold in China, according to sources. This move comes as Apple tries to bring AI features to its Chinese users, where ChatGPT and other global AI tools are unavailable due to strict government rules.
This month, Apple started rolling out ChatGPT through Siri for devices outside China. In China, however, Apple needs local partners like Tencent and ByteDance to meet regulatory requirements and stay competitive in the world’s largest smartphone market.
So far, ByteDance’s Doubao and Tencent’s Hunyuan AI models are strong contenders. Apple has also discussed partnering with Baidu to use its Ernie AI model, but those talks have faced technical challenges.
China’s smartphone market is fiercely competitive, with domestic brands like Huawei gaining ground. Huawei’s new Mate 70 series, powered by its own AI, has been a hit. Meanwhile, Apple has faced declining sales and lost market share in China recently.
Partnering with a local AI company could help Apple win back customers and stay relevant in the fast-evolving Chinese tech scene. However, these talks are still in their early stages, and no deals have been finalized yet.
Source: reuters
