China’s internet regulator has approved Apple’s AI services for its iPhone range, allowing it to offer the features in mainland China years after they launched elsewhere.

The launch has been complicated by China’s rules on foreign AI tools, which mean Apple can’t use the same partners it works with for advanced features, including Google and OpenAI.

Instead, Alibaba and Baidu are to provide back-end services, the Cyberspace Administration of China said.

Image credit: Apple

Domestic partners