Reportedly, the iPhone 16 in China will utilize AI services provided by Baidu and feature the Ernie Bot.
iPhone 16: It is reported that Apple is pursuing a partnership with Baidu for AI services, as China mandates regulatory approval for LLMs.
iPhone 16
According to reports, Apple is in discussions with Chinese tech giant Baidu to utilize its large language model (LLM) and artificial intelligence (AI) services within its ecosystem in China. The potential partnership may involve Baidu granting access to its AI capabilities, including its native AI assistant Ernie Bot, to Apple. These features are speculated to be integrated into the iPhone 16 series running iOS 18, as well as macOS 15. Earlier reports suggested that Apple was also exploring a similar arrangement with Google, considering utilizing its Gemini AI for global use.
Initially reported by the Wall Street Journal on March 22, discussions between Apple and Baidu concerning the utilization of Baidu’s generative AI technology for Apple’s devices and operating systems were said to be in the early stages. Subsequently, on Monday, a report from Morning Star indicated that Baidu’s shares experienced a 5.4 percent increase following news of the potential collaboration between the two companies, as reported by an unnamed Chinese media outlet.
Allegedly, Apple explored potential partnerships with Alibaba and another Chinese AI firm before settling on Baidu. Baidu has emerged as a prominent player in the AI sector, notably introducing its AI chatbot, Ernie Bot, in August 2023. This chatbot is driven by Baidu’s proprietary large language model, Ernie 4.0. By December 2023, Baidu’s Chief Technology Officer, Wang Haifeng, disclosed that the chatbot had exceeded 100 million users.
iPhone 16 in China
According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple’s search for a domestic AI technology partner in China is driven by regulatory challenges in the region. China mandates that all large language model (LLM) models used within its borders undergo inspection and approval by its cyberspace regulatory authority before public release. Presently, over 40 LLMs have received approval from regulators. With OpenAI and Google Gemini not operating in China, Apple’s sole recourse, as reported, was to collaborate with a local entity.
It remains uncertain whether the agreement will result in Baidu’s branding appearing on the AI functionalities integrated by Apple. Nonetheless, reports suggest that Apple intends to introduce on-device AI capabilities rather than relying on cloud-based services. Consequently, users in China might not encounter recognizable Baidu AI tools or Ernie Bot, as Apple may solely utilize Baidu’s AI engine to power these features.
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