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Cook: Apple Intelligence to launch test version in China by end of month, but not including Siri AI
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On October 15, Tim Cook, executive chairman of Apple's board, confirmed in an interview with media including The Paper and Jiemian News in Shanghai that Apple Intelligence and related Alibaba Qwen large models have been approved and will release a test version for Chinese users later in October. Cook said the first batch of core Apple Intelligence features can be rolled out gradually. This release will initially be advanced in the form of a test version.
Cook introduced that the first batch of features includes real-time translation, Writing Tools, the photo Clean Up tool, and others. But he also made clear that Siri AI is not within the scope of this release. This means that the Apple Intelligence features available to Chinese users at the initial stage will not include Siri's artificial intelligence upgrade.
According to a previous report by ITHome, the Alibaba models involved in this approval include Tongyi Qianwen and Tongyi Wanxiang. The former is a large language model, while the latter is an image and video generation tool. These two types of models correspond respectively to text and visual content generation capabilities. The cooperation between Apple and Alibaba's models has therefore become an important part of this approval.
Bloomberg reporter Gurman previously reported that Apple plans to officially push Apple Intelligence to Chinese users in December along with the iOS 27.3 system update. The first batch of features is basically consistent with the version at the time of its first overseas release in 2024. If the plan proceeds, Chinese users will see the official version after the test version. At present, Apple has not made further statements regarding the December push timetable.
On the same day, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met with Cook. The two sides exchanged views on topics such as China-US economic and trade relations, artificial intelligence development, and Apple's business in China. Wang Wentao said that China advocates safe and controllable AI development, inclusive and for good, and cooperative governance. He hopes Apple will play a bridging role in communication and contribute to promoting the sustained, stable and positive development of China-US economic and trade relations.
Cook said Apple is optimistic about China's development prospects and will further expand its business in China. This statement echoes the test release of Apple Intelligence in the Chinese market. For Apple, advancing AI features in China is part of its business layout. For Chinese users, the first batch of features will bring new experiences such as translation, writing, and photo editing.
With the October test version release, the implementation of Apple Intelligence in the Chinese market has entered a substantive stage. Whether it will be officially pushed in December with iOS 27.3, and when Siri AI will be included, will become key points of outside attention. The effectiveness of Apple's cooperation with Alibaba's models Tongyi Qianwen and Tongyi Wanxiang also remains to be tested by users.
