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The Economic Times
Apple says Mac users in China can connect to Alibaba's Qwen AI service
Apple has published a guide for Mac users in China to connect to Alibaba's Qwen AI service, enhancing the functionality of Siri and Writing Tools. This integration helps Apple retain its relevance in a market increasingly dominated by local competitors like Lenovo and Huawei, who have been promoting their AI capabilities. The Qwen AI service allows users to generate content and analyze documents through enhanced voice commands and writing features, aiming to provide a stronger position against domestic brands in the competitive AI PC market.
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Published 8 Aug 2026, 14:30 UTC4 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Apple allows Chinese Mac users to connect to Alibaba's Qwen AI service.
- Integration enhances Siri responses and Writing Tools for better user experience.
- Seeks to boost Apple's share in China's AI PC market amid rising competition.
- Users must be running macOS 26.6 or later to use the Qwen integration.
- Qwen AI offers generative capabilities including text and image creation.
Interesting facts
- Apple's Mac shipments in China fell by 9% in the first quarter.
- Lenovo leads the market with a 31% share, promoting their AI features.
- Alibaba's Qwen AI service is designed to be integrated across multiple Apple products.