Apple is partnering with Alibaba to introduce artificial intelligence features for iPhone users in China. CNBC's Steve Kovach reports on what's at sake.

Beijing

The release of Open AI's ChatGPT has accelerated the development of artificial intelligence and warnings about its impact on society.

Rise of AI

Apple is collaborating with Alibaba to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) features to iPhone users in China. The effort is aimed at addressing falling iPhone sales in the Chinese market, where competition from companies like Huawei is intensifying. The lack of AI features in Apple's existing products has been identified as a potential reason for the slump in sales.

Recently, Alibaba chairman Joe Tsai confirmed the partnership during comments made in Dubai. While Apple has not provided a precise timeline for when Apple Intelligence will launch in China, developers in the region were informed of a session scheduled to help them make their apps compatible with the new system. The introduction of Chinese language support for Apple Intelligence is also anticipated.

The potential impact of this partnership on Apple's market performance is yet to be observed, but stock prices have already seen a positive response, with Apple up about 4% and Alibaba up about 13% for the week. Additionally, economic subsidies currently offered in China for smartphones priced at approximately $800 or less could also influence Apple's sales in the region. 



Apple teams up with Alibaba to help launch AI features

Meantime as Apple tries to turn around falling iPhone sales It's now teaming up with Alibaba to help it launch AI features in its products in China Steve Kovacs been looking into that this morning joins us this morning Steve a little tease here newest member of the family Yeah, that's right. But first let's talk about China because honestly that is way more important than what's going on with the iPhone SE So Joe sigh, he's the chairman of Alibaba. He made some comments this morning over in Dubai talking about Confirming rather those reports We got a Monday that Alibaba is now in partnership with Apple for Apple intelligence to launch it in their China now There are huge stakes going on in China guys. There's a renewed competition from Huawei There's no artificial intelligence product on Apple devices yet And then of course the tariff problem as well and then we learned two weeks ago today that China sales were down 11% in the quarter because of All those headwinds and Tim Cook told us that one of the reasons why China business has been struggling is because Apple intelligence is not Available there while competitors do have it available So let's talk about a timeline here because while we don't have an exact Announcement from Apple when Apple intelligence is going to launch in China We do have some hints here that we can read between the lines in March Apple told developers in China There's going to be a session that will help them kind of work through this Apple intelligence System and help them make their apps compatible with it And then in April Tim Cook told us Chinese language will launch in Apple intelligence Keep in mind this launch in English at first and they're expanding languages from there so if that does happen and if this partnership does go through it sounds like it's going to happen in April at the very earliest and That won't be reflected in Apple's reports until the June quarter at the very earliest in the meantime China is going through some subsidies right now as the economy falters there to help consumers Get spending again and that applies to smartphones that are worth about $800 or less and that would apply to some members of the iPhone family Tim Cook actually teased two weeks ago that this could be Some reason why China might turn around a little bit He hinted there'll be more to share there in the meantime because of all these reports Apple up about 4% week to date Alibaba up about 13% and then like you guys mentioned that Tim Cook iPhone SE tweet It looks like on February 19th. That would be Wednesday of next week That's the cheaper model of the iPhone. Like you said recycle some earlier parts, but again, not the hottest seller for Apple guys

Talks between the U.S. President and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded without an agreement on ending the war in Ukraine, despite being widely anticipated as a possible turning point.

Anchorage

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskyy set to meet U.S. president Monday after no ceasefire deal

For the first time in a decade, Vladimir Putin was on U.S. soil for a much-anticipated meeting with Donald Trump. The U.S. and Russian presidents were supposed to discuss a deal to put an end to Moscow’s war against Ukraine, but they did not mention a ceasefire after the talks.

Trump, Putin wrap up talks with no mention of ceasefire

President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska for a high-stakes summit over ending the war in Ukraine. Nancy Cordes and Margaret Brennan have coverage and analysis.

What we know about the high-stakes summit between Trump and Putin

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin have arrived in Alaska ahead of their high stakes talks on Ukraine. The expected one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin has expanded to include U.S. officials Steve Witkoff and Marco Rubio and other Russian officials.

Trump, Putin arrive in Alaska for historic summit

Israel's far-right finance minister approved the construction of a controversial new settlement in the West Bank, saying it "finally buries the idea of a Palestinian state." But it's unclear if this move will actually go through. Rights groups swiftly condemned the plan.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israeli finance minister approves new West Bank settlement

U.S. President Donald Trump indicated in an interview that he hoped to push Russian President Vladimir Putin toward a second meeting but acknowledged there was a chance Friday’s meeting would not succeed.

Washington

Trump shifts tone, confident on deal to end Ukraine war

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalei Smotrich said a plan to add more than 3,000 homes to a controversial settlement in the West Bank would bury ‘the idea of a Palestinian state.’

Israel furthers plan for settlement that divides the West Bank

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London. This comes one day before U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss a possible ceasefire in Ukraine.

London

Zelenskyy, Starmer meet ahead of Trump, Putin summit in Alaska

Speaking in the Oval Office on Thursday, President Trump sounded optimistic about his upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Trump says he thinks Putin and Zelenskyy will make peace

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced plans to build another immigrant detention center, dubbing it the "Deportation Depot." The facility will be in North Florida.

Jacksonville

DeSantis announces plan to build another immigrant detention center

President Trump had a virtual call Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in Alaska. After the call, Zelenskyy said he told Mr. Trump that "Putin is bluffing."

Ukraine's Zelenskyy warns President Trump ahead of meeting with Putin

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would ask the Republican-controlled Congress to extend federal control of Washington's city police force beyond 30 days, escalating his campaign to exert presidential power over the nation's capital.

Trump wants to extend federal control over Washington police

With just hours left to reach a deal on plastics, negotiators in Geneva were scrambling to resolve a deadlock caused by “red lines” of member countries. Nations are crafting the first global, legally binding treaty on plastics pollution at the United Nations office in Switzerland.

Geneva

Global plastics treaty talks in Geneva stall as deadline looms

At least 123 people have been killed in 24 hours, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says people will be given the opportunity to leave Gaza before a planned ground offensive, but no one is being pushed out.

Israeli strikes pound Gaza ahead of planned ground offensive

America's NATO allies stood firmly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of the face-to-face meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The European leaders showed a united front that there should be no peace deal without Ukraine's involvement.

Kyiv

NATO allies stand with Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin summit

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement must improve conditions for detainees at New York's 26 Federal Plaza, a judge ruled Tuesday.

New York

Judge rules ICE must improve conditions for detainees at NY facility

National Guard troops arrived in Washington, D.C., following President Donald Trump's deployment and federalization of local police to crack down on crime in the nation's capital.

National Guard troops arrive in Washington, D.C.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that he had a "very good call" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, days before his scheduled Alaska meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump had 'very good call' with Zelenskyy ahead of Putin meeting

Israel's military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, has approved the framework of a plan for a new offensive in Gaza. CBS News Middle East reporter Courtney Kealy has more details.

Israeli military chief approves 'framework' for new Gaza offensive

President Donald Trump said Wednesday there will be “very severe consequences” if Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn’t agree to stop the Ukraine war after Friday’s summit.

Trump warns of 'severe consequences' if Russia doesn't stop war

A Wisconsin woman on Tuesday was found guilty in the United Kingdom of trying to kill a man at point-blank range in 2019. Aimee Betro, 45, was part of a plot with two other co-conspirators to murder Sikander Ali, prosecutors said.

Birmingham

American woman found guilty of UK murder-for-hire plot

Record-high temperatures across Europe are fanning wildfires across the continent. Experts say a warming climate and an increase in flammable vegetation from rural depopulation are major factors.

Madrid

Historic heat fuels fires across Europe

Hungary's PM Viktor Orbán said the EU attempts to set conditions for a meeting to which leaders of the EU were not invited. He also called for an EU-Russia summit.

Brussels

EU leaders rally behind Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin talks

President Trump said Monday he expects that Russia and Ukraine will "land swap" certain territories as part of an eventual ceasefire deal. Mr. Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

Trump claims 'land swapping' between Russia, Ukraine will happen

Taylor Swift confirmed her 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," in a teaser for her upcoming appearance on her boyfriend Travis Kelce's podcast. Swift did not disclose the release date of the album.

Taylor Swift announces new album, 'The Life of a Showgirl'

U.S. President Donald Trump said that his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday will be to "feel out" the leader as pressure mounts for Russia and Ukraine to make a peace deal.

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Rise of AI