Apple may be in talks with Google about using the search giant's Gemini AI in future iOS releases, but that's not a viable plan given that Google's services are banned in China. So a local player is the answer, and Apple seems to have found it with Baidu, long referred to as “China's his Google.” How fitting!
News out of China today reveals that Baidu plans to provide AI services to Apple's latest devices. Of course, that's only within China. Baidu will become Apple's generative AI provider in the country starting with the release of iOS 18, scheduled for this fall.
Apple reportedly discussed the partnership with Alibaba and another unnamed Chinese company that provides large-scale language models (LLM) before ultimately deciding to hire Baidu. In China, all his LLMs must receive regulatory approval before being released to the public, and Baidu's Ernie Bot is one of his more than 40 bots that have received permission so far. It's one.
This is seen as a huge endorsement for Baidu and its Erniebot in China, with analysts saying it would be the “perfect branding campaign” for the Chinese giant. The speed at which the bot was successfully monetized far exceeded analysts' expectations.
Baidu CEO Robin Li said the company's AI business is likely to be its main revenue driver this year, with revenue expected to increase significantly, and the partnership with Apple definitely played a role in that. Ta.
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