CNBC's Deirdre Bosa reports on how Alibaba could be helping Apple.

Cupertino

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's efforts to adopt artificial intelligence technologies have faced challenges, as seen in its current stock performance. However, the tech giant might find assistance through its partnership with Alibaba in China. Alibaba released an enhanced version of its assistant with advanced reasoning capabilities that could potentially bolster Apple's A.I. image in the Chinese market. This possibility hinges on Apple making significant internal changes, as suggested by tech analyst John Gruber.

Gruber, an experienced commentator on Apple matters, called attention to Apple's challenges in a recent blog post. His critique noted the high expectations set during Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) last year, which have not yet been fulfilled. In this context, China's market offers an opportunity for Apple to redefine its A.I. strategy. With 43 percent of Chinese consumers expressing high interest in A.I. capable smartphones, compared to just 15 percent in the U.S., this partnership presents a potential avenue for progress.

Despite the opportunity, skepticism remains. Apple reporter Steve Kovac expressed doubts about the success of Apple's A.I. initiatives in China, citing ongoing issues with integration. Although some integration efforts have been made in the U.S., challenges persist, and Apple's large language models continue to drive various features. The partnership with Alibaba, despite potential obstacles, represents an intriguing possibility as China's market demonstrates notable interest and engagement with artificial intelligence technologies.



Apple's AI adoption stumbles drag on stock

Hey Kelly. So as we see that growing list of Apple bears there could be a flicker of hope in the Chinese market. Apple has found its partner in Alibaba and Alibaba has been the hottest stock in Chinese tech or otherwise this year. Overnight Baba released a new version of its assistant powered by new reasoning capabilities that can handle more complex questions. But getting the rule out of Apple intelligence right in China that could help boost Apple's A.I. image. That's a big if though that could require major structural strategic even cultural changes. As John Gruber suggested it should in a blog post last night that has gone absolutely viral in the tech community. Now Gruber is known as the Apple whisperer. He covered the company for two decades. His scathing critique of Apple intelligence. It hit home to many. He blamed W.W.D.C. last year for setting expectations that haven't come close to being met. So China could be an opportunity to take back some of that narrative. The delay there has been due to Apple needing a Chinese partner. Now it does have Alibaba and it is a market where users are more eager to embrace and pay for A.I. smartphone features. A 2024 Canales survey showed that 43 percent of Chinese consumers had a high to very high interest in A.I. capable smartphones. Well that category for U.S. consumers it was just 15 percent. But like I said Kelly it may be just a flicker of hope. Talking to Steve Kovac this morning our Apple reporter he was deeply skeptical that it'll go any better in China than it has here. Despite Apple's opening a partnership in the U.S. the integration is still clunky and Apple's LLM still powers many of its other features like Gen Moji and writing tools. But Kelly as the stakes are higher and higher China could be an interesting opportunity especially because users care so much about their A.I. there.

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