Title: Baidu to Provide AI Functions for Apple’s iPhone 16 and Mac System
In a groundbreaking move, Baidu has secured a deal to provide AI functions for Apple’s upcoming devices, including the iPhone 16, Mac system, and iOS 18. This partnership marks a significant collaboration between two tech giants, with Baidu set to power AI capabilities for Apple’s devices in the domestic market.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Apple had discussions with other companies like Alibaba and a Tsinghua-based domestic model company before ultimately choosing Baidu as their AI provider. The decision to collaborate with Baidu is seen as a strategic move by Apple to address compliance needs in the Chinese market.
The news of this partnership has had a positive impact on Baidu’s stock performance, with shares rising sharply before settling back. Baidu’s CEO, Robin Li, also shared insights into the growing popularity of their large models, with daily calls exceeding 50 million and a significant increase in usage by companies.
Furthermore, Baidu’s Smart Cloud business saw a significant revenue boost from the adoption of large models, with an incremental revenue of 660 million yuan in the fourth quarter of 2023. The number of users for Baidu’s Wen Xin Yiyan model has also surpassed 100 million, highlighting the widespread adoption of their AI technology.
Looking ahead, Baidu is gearing up for a version update for Wen Xin Yiyan, which will include enhanced capabilities for handling long texts. With a text range of 2 million to 5 million words, the updated version is expected to further enhance the user experience and attract more users and enterprises to leverage the power of AI technology.
Overall, this partnership between Baidu and Apple signifies a significant step towards integrating AI technology into everyday devices and paves the way for future collaborations in the tech industry.