• Apple trained a China-specific LLM, sources say
• Apple to launch suite of AI tools in coming months
• AI model trained with support from Chinese tech giant Alibaba
• Model would give Apple greater control over AI-equipped devices sold in China

Apple has trained a large language model specifically for the China market, three people ​familiar with the matter said, a departure from the iPhone maker's strategy of relying on third-party models to power AI features ‌in the country.

The AI model was developed in partnership with Alibaba Group and trained with the Chinese tech giant's support, the people said, declining to be named as the information is sensitive and not public.