Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) stock fell during intraday trading Thursday as the tech giant faces challenges in China, including stricter regulations and rising competition from local rivals impacting its AI initiatives.
According to the latest CNBC report, China’s stringent AI regulations are hampering Apple’s AI expansion, which includes upgrading its voice assistant Siri. The company is also grappling with competitive pressure from local rivals like Huawei, who are promoting their own AI capabilities in the Chinese market.
Apple recently announced the rollout of its AI features initially in U.S. English, with plans to expand to other languages and platforms soon. However, the company has remained tight-lipped on its plans for the Chinese market, where localizing AI services involves navigating complex regulatory requirements and user preferences.
Analyst Insights
Bryan Ma from IDC points out the stark contrast in AI regulation between China and other markets, stating,
“China is in another world when it comes to AI given the regulatory environment there, so China is a big asterisk on Apple’s big announcements last week.”
Chinese regulations, particularly those concerning data privacy and large-scale language models, pose a significant challenge for Apple. Some of Apple’s AI features rely on proprietary language models that would require approval from Chinese authorities to operate within the country.
Canalys analyst Nicole Peng suggests that Apple may need to develop on-device and cloud-based AI models to comply with Chinese local regulations.
Furthermore, Apple’s use of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, banned in China, necessitates finding domestic alternatives. This situation could lead to partnerships with Chinese tech giants such as Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU) and Alibaba (NYSE: BABA), which have developed their proprietary language models and voice assistants.
Chief Analyst at CCS Insight Ben Wood emphasizes Apple’s need to customize its AI offerings to align with Chinese users’ preferences and regulatory requirements. Wood said,
“Localising the Apple Intelligence experience will be a major challenge for Apple. As with all technology deployments, there are nuances to the way the service is delivered to respect the specific customs, regulations, and use cases in a particular country.”
Acknowledging these challenges, Gene Munster from Deepwater Asset Management proposes that Apple could collaborate with Baidu and Alibaba to introduce third-party AI features tailored to the Chinese market.
WWDC 2024 Announcements
At WWDC 2024, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) unveiled significant updates to its operating systems. The tech giant introduced new generative AI features, including Apple Intelligence and ChatGPT integration. Analysts from Goldman Sachs anticipate these advancements to drive product upgrades and future AI monetization opportunities.
In March, Apple initiated discussions with Baidu to incorporate advanced generative AI technology into its devices within China. This move complies with Chinese regulations mandating scrutiny of generative AI models by the nation’s cyberspace regulator before public release.
Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) Stock Reaction
On Thursday, AAPL stock declined 2.15%, closing at $209.68, marking a 1.59% decrease for the week. The trading volume was 86,172,448 shares, significantly higher than the average daily volume of 65.70 million.
Edward Cooke is a financial analyst, freelance writer, and editor. He has six years of experience in financial journalism. He has an in-depth understanding of equities markets, tracking major indices and providing real-time analysis on stock price movements, corporate earnings, and market sentiment.
