Apple is working to bring its Apple Intelligence to China, partnering with Alibaba to make it happen following reports it rebuffed a deal with DeepSeek.

Apple has been working to catch up with Microsoft, Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, and others in the AI space, introducing its intelligence platform in 2024. Basic functionality relies on the company’s own AI models, while advanced functionality relies on OpenAI models.

According to The Information, via TechCrunch, Apple considered a deal with DeepSeek before rejecting it in favor of a deal with Alibaba.

As AppleInsider points out, Alibaba may have presented a better option for Apple, given the wealth of data the company has access to. Alibaba also has deep ties to the West, given its close relationship with Yahoo over the years. That connection may have made the comapny a more appealing prospect for partnership than a company like DeepSeek.

Either way, with this latest deal, Apple is signaling just how serious it is about competing in the AI space and making Apple Intelligence a major player in the market.