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Tim Cook says Apple Intelligence approved in China, The Paper reports

By Thomson Reuters Oct 15, 2026 | 4:14 AM

BEIJING, Oct 15 (Reuters) – Apple’s chairman Tim Cook said Apple Intelligence has been approved in China and ​a test version is due ‌later in October, China’s state-backed media The Paper reported citing an exclusive interview with Cook on Thursday in Shanghai.

• The test ‌version ​will have features of ⁠live translation, writing ⁠tools, image clean-up and does not include Siri AI, Cook told The Paper

• The US company has trained ​a large language model specifically for the China market, Reuters previously ⁠reported, a departure ⁠from the iPhone maker’s strategy ​of relying on third-party models to power ​AI features in the country

• The ‌AI model was developed in partnership with Alibaba Group and trained with the Chinese tech giant’s support.

• China’s ⁠cyberspace regulator said in July that Apple’s on-device generative AI service, Apple Intelligence, has been ⁠registered ‌for use on iPhones in ⁠China

• According to China’s ​commerce ‌ministry, Cook met China’s commerce ​minister Wang ⁠Wentao on Thursday and they discussed development of AI and Apple’s business in China

(Reporting by Eduardo Baptista and Shi Bu; Editing by Toby Chopra and ​Louise Heavens)