Alibaba's AI models have cleared a regulatory hurdle to power Apple Intelligence in mainland China.
Apple's AI assistant suite, Apple Intelligence, launched almost two years ago, but it has never been switched on for users in mainland China. Alibaba's AI models have now been cleared for use inside Apple Intelligence there, a step that signals regulatory sign-off rather than an actual launch. No release date has been attached to the clearance.
A nearly two-year gap is a long wait for a feature Apple positions as central to its product strategy everywhere else. Getting the underlying models approved removes one obstacle, but approval and availability are not the same thing. Apple still has to flip the switch.
Clearance is progress. It is not a launch. Watch for whether Apple actually turns the feature on, not just whether it is now allowed to.