Chinese social platforms have recently seen multiple user reports claiming to have discovered what appears to be an Apple AI function entry in system settings, accompanied by a push notification for an app called “Picture Paradise.” These unverified test versions were flagged by users for having simplified functionality, with AI response logic showing high similarity to Baidu Search. This phenomenon has sparked industry speculation about Apple’s localization path for AI, especially against the backdrop of regulatory requirements that large model services must comply with Chinese oversight.
Apple’s technical team clarified to the media that no current domestic devices have received an official AI feature push, emphasizing that the A17 Pro chip found in iPhone 15 Pro and higher models provides the baseline computing power necessary for running AI algorithms. This statement indirectly confirms that the next-generation neural engine chip has become core infrastructure for Apple’s AI strategy, while also excluding previous models like the iPhone 15 from the AI upgrade roadmap.
Notably, Apple issued its first security warning regarding third-party cracking tools, stating that forcibly bypassing system restrictions could lead to sensitive data leaks. This aligns with the widespread security and compliance challenges currently facing the AI industry, especially in the fast-evolving generative AI landscape. Earlier supply chain reports indicated that Apple is in talks with domestic AI service providers such as Baidu, but specific cooperation models remain constrained by policy factors like cross-border data flows.