US tech giant Apple has picked Chinese search engine giant Baidu to provide the generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology for its coming iPhone 16 and other products in the mainland market this year, according to a Chinese media report, reports the South China Morning Post.
Apple will use Baidu’s Ernie Bot for its iPhone 16, Mac OS and iOS 18 in China, after it also held talks with other Chinese companies including Alibaba Group Holding and an AI company affiliated with Tsinghua University, according to a report on Monday by China Star Market, a media outlet under Shanghai United Media Group.
Apple will use its own AI model outside China but turn to locally-built technology for the mainland market based on compliance considerations, the report said, citing anonymous sources.