Apple Intelligence Coming to China in December, But With a Major Missing Feature
Good news has finally arrived for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users in China. Apple's artificial intelligence (AI) model, Apple Intelligence, is finally coming. The date and which version it will arrive with have been revealed.
Apple Intelligence and the new Siri, which have been widely discussed in the tech world in recent years, had not been available to users in China since their launch. While it was eagerly anticipated when the feature would arrive for this country, a surprise development has finally occurred.
Preparing to release the iOS 27.1 update, Apple is also continuing tests for other new versions.
According to a report by Bloomberg citing sources close to the matter, Apple will roll out Apple Intelligence features in China in December with the iOS 27.3 update, two years after its US launch. However, the revamped Siri AI is not included in this package and will not be offered to Chinese users.
Seeking market entry approval, the tech giant accepted censorship filters that allow the Chinese government to approve model updates. With this step, the company became the first foreign company to receive approval to offer its own artificial intelligence (AI) model in China.
Which Artificial Intelligence (AI) Features Will Be Offered in China?
The version to be rolled out in China will be limited to the initial package released in 2024. In this scope, Genmoji, notification summaries, writing tools, and object removal from photos features will be offered.
This year's new features, such as advanced Siri AI, photo expansion, upgraded Genmoji, and visual intelligence on the camera, will not be included in China. Additionally, the Image Playground app will be completely blocked in the Chinese market, while text generation in certain apps will be restricted to comply with local regulations.
| Region | Basic Artificial Intelligence (AI) Features | Revamped Siri AI | Release Date / Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | Available | Available | 2024 |
| China | Available (Limited) | None | December (iOS 27.3) |
| European Union (EU) | Available (September) | None | Uncertain |
The Approval Process Coming via Partnership with Alibaba and Baidu
Apple partnered with Alibaba to train its artificial intelligence (AI) model in accordance with Chinese standards. The security systems developed with Alibaba allow the government to approve model updates. For search functions and certain Siri features, Baidu's infrastructure is utilized.
While the Cyberspace Administration of China registered the service in July, official permissions covering iPhone devices were granted on September 29. The features briefly appeared in the settings menu in March but were quickly removed as official approval had not been granted. The company's CEO Tim Cook also attended a White House state dinner in honor of Xi Jinping last month.
Uncertainty Persists in the European Union Market
While a date was set as a result of negotiations in China, the process moves differently in the European Union. Although most of this year's artificial intelligence (AI) features received approval and rolled out in the EU in September, Siri AI has not yet arrived on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch models.
A clear timetable has not yet emerged from the talks between Apple and Brussels. Officials state that it remains uncertain when or whether the Siri AI feature will be released locally in the EU region.
Users in China will be able to start using basic artificial intelligence (AI) tools with the iOS 27.3 update in December, but will not have access to the revamped Siri features. Users in the European Union, on the other hand, can access basic tools but have to wait for an official date announcement for Siri AI updates.
In my opinion, Apple was slow regarding the new Siri not only in China, but globally. But at least its arrival in China with version 27.3, when the feature will be fully ready, is definitely something that cannot be overlooked.
This article was translated from Turkish. Read the original article in Turkish.
