Apple is facing an uphill battle to release its own artificial intelligence models in China, with a top Beijing official warning that foreign companies will confront a “difficult and long process” to win approval unless they partner with local groups.
Apple chief Tim Cook arrived in China on Monday for his third visit of the year as the company tries to navigate the country’s complex regulatory regime and bring its Apple Intelligence to devices sold in the country.
In recent months, the iPhone maker has been holding talks with Chinese tech companies to help power Apple Intelligence in the country. It has been gradually rolling out the suite of AI features in the US since October.