Apple CEO Tim Cook met with China’s top industry regulators on a variety of topics on Wednesday, according to an official statement from China, which concerns the rollout of Apple’s AI services in the country. It did not provide information.
According to a statement released by Chinese regulators, Mr. Cook met with Jin Zhuanglong, Minister of Industry and Information Technology, to discuss everything from Apple’s further development in China, one of its largest overseas markets, to cyber data security and cloud computing. They reportedly discussed a wide range of topics, including services. Wednesday. The ministry is the main government agency overseeing AI applications in China.
The statement did not say whether the two sides had discussed access to the Chinese market for Apple Intelligence, a bundle of Apple Intelligence (GenAI) services. The bundle of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) services is expected to launch soon in certain countries, but in China, public access will require permission from the Chinese government. GenAI software release. As of August, China has approved a total of 188 GenAI services for Chinese users, all of which are developed by local companies.
Analysts say the removal of Apple Intelligence from the Chinese market will weigh on iPhone sales there. In China, local competitors from Xiaomi to Oppo are touting how the addition of AI has made their devices more capable of tasks ranging from content creation. Even photo editing.
Chinese consumers have also been vocal about wanting Apple to bring its GenAI service (scheduled to be released as part of the iOS 18.1 update on October 28th) to China as soon as possible.
In a post about his visit to China that Mr. Cook posted on Chinese microblogging service Weibo on Monday, one user asked whether his visit was “for negotiations.” [the roll-out of] AI with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology”.
In a statement, MIIT’s Jin said in a meeting with Cook that China is creating new opportunities for foreign companies and that Apple will deepen its relationship with the country as it continues to invest in innovation for the market. He said he was looking forward to it.
