Apple is reportedly seeking ways to add AI to its smartphones sold in ChatGPT-less China. The iPhone maker is in discussions with two Chinese tech giants — Tencent and TikTok parent ByteDance — about integrating their artificial intelligence (AI) models into its products, Reuters reported Thursday (Dec. 19), citing three sources familiar with the matter. The sources said the talks are at a very early stage. PYMNTS has contacted all three companies for comment but has not yet gotten a reply. Apple began adding OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its devices earlier this month, letting its Siri voice assistant turn to the chatbot for user queries. However, ChatGPT is not available in China, and the country requires generative AI operators to get the government’s OK before rolling out a product. According to Reuters, that has left Apple seeking local AI partners at a moment when its market share in China is slipping. The report argues that the lack of AI capabilities in the newest iPhones in China has hurt Apple as it faces competition from domestic smartphone makers such as Huawei, which recently launched its own AI-powered phone. Apple’s smartphone sales in China fell 0.3% during the third quarter, while Huawei’s jumped by 42%, the report added, citing data from IDC.

Full report : Apple in talks with Tencent, ByteDance to roll out AI features in China.

c