Apple is reportedly in talks with Tencent and ByteDance to incorporate their AI models into iPhones sold in China, Reuters reported today. The move comes as Apple faces challenges with its AI offerings in the Chinese market. Restrictions on OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which is banned in China, meant the iPhone 16’s initial release in the country lacked the highly anticipated Apple Intelligence feature, expected to be a major selling point. To address this, Apple considered following Samsung’s approach, which involved collaborating with Baidu to integrate its advanced Ernie 4.0 AI model into Chinese devices. However, negotiations with Baidu have faced hurdles. Sources indicate that Apple’s discussions with Tencent and ByteDance are part of its broader effort to adapt products to local regulations and user preferences in China. These discussions, however, remain in the preliminary stages. [Reuters]
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