Apple Partners with Alibaba to Bring AI Services to China
Apple has partnered with Chinese tech giant Alibaba to bring its AI services to the world's largest mobile phone market. This move removes months of uncertainty for the Cupertino-based firm and marks a significant step in its efforts to expand its presence in China.
"Apple has been very selective. They talked to a number of companies in China, and in the end, they choose to do business with us. They want to use our AI to power their phones," said Joe Tsai, chairman of Alibaba, during a speech at the World Governments Summit in Dubai.
While details about the timeline and exclusivity of the partnership remain unclear, this collaboration signifies Apple's trust in Alibaba's AI capabilities. The partnership is expected to help Apple gain users in China, where it has been losing market share to domestic rivals like Huawei and Vivo.
However, challenges remain for Apple in the highly competitive Chinese market. Lucas Zhong, research analyst at Canalys, notes that "Apple faces a much more challenging competitive landscape in China, especially amid Huawei's strong resurgence. Relying solely on AI services may not be enough to turn the tide."
Despite these challenges, the partnership with Alibaba is a positive step for Apple in its efforts to regain its footing in the Chinese market. The company's AI services, powered by Alibaba's technology, could prove to be a valuable asset in attracting new users and competing with domestic rivals.