Apple May Have a Chance to Introduce Apple Intelligence to China Through DeepSeek

It's possible that Apple is currently incorporating DeepSeek's AI models into Apple Intelligence. According to a China-based tipster, the Cupertino-based tech giant is evaluating the DeepSeek R1 AI model, which focusses on reasoning, to determine whether it can serve as a substitute for the company's in-house AI models. Because of China's stringent regulations, the iPhone manufacturer has not yet implemented its AI functions there. If the information that has been leaked is accurate, however, Apple may have a chance to launch the features in the Chinese market.

DeepSeek R1 Could Be Used by Apple for Apple Intelligence
In a Weibo post, Guangdong-based tipster Fixed Focus Digital asserted that Apple CEO Tim Cook is thrilled with the potential DeepSeek has provided. The Chinese artificial intelligence company made its reasoning model publicly available under an MIT license that permits commercial use. The tech behemoth might incorporate it to replace ChatGPT's features in Apple Intelligence as well as its own AI models.

Any AI-powered platform, software, or gadget must first obtain a government accreditation in China, according to a stringent legislation. The nation hasn't yet passed any AI models that weren't developed or operated on Chinese servers, though. Apple was unable to release its AI features in the nation with the iOS 18.1 upgrade due to this regulatory obstacle. The company has apparently seen a sharp decline in sales since the iPhone 16 series was promoted on the strength of Apple Intelligence.

According to the source, Apple is now considering including the DeepSeek R1 AI model as a workaround, even though the tech giant was allegedly attempting to reach an agreement with Alibaba and Baidu. The AI model will address two issues for the business if the claims are accurate. First, the regulatory authority should have no trouble approving the DeepSeek AI model because it was developed in China.

Second, Apple can utilise DeepSeek R1 as an on-device model to replace its models while keeping the AI characteristics because it is in the public domain. This would allow the tech giant to provide customers with data protection without having to host the AI data on external servers. According to the tipster, DeepSeek integration won't be made available prior to the iOS 19 upgrade.

The informant also asserted that the iPhone manufacturer might launch DeepSeek R1 in Europe, another region without access to Apple Intelligence, in addition to the US because of its low application programming interface (API) costs and local inference value.