An Apple store in Beijing on Sept. 28, 2019. (Image credit: TechNode/Coco Gao)
Apple is continuing its collaboration with Baidu on AI features for the Chinese market, even as it partners with Alibaba for additional AI functionalities, The Information reported. Baidu is developing AI-based search features for Apple to enhance both image and text processing and improve the Chinese-language Siri experience as part of Apple’s “China Intelligence” initiative, sources said. The partnership with both Baidu and Alibaba reflects Apple’s nonexclusive agreements with multiple Chinese AI model providers to mitigate risks. Earlier, Baidu was initially considered Apple’s main AI model partner but was replaced after its progress fell short of Apple’s standards. Alibaba co-founder and chairman Joseph Tsai confirmed the collaboration today, emphasizing Apple’s focus on the Chinese market and Alibaba’s technological leadership. In related news, Baidu’s ERNIE Bot announced plans to make its AI models free starting April 1 and to release the Wenxin 4.5 series later this year, which will be fully open source. [The Information, TechNode report]
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