When Apple unveiled its Apple Intelligence AI suite at WWDC 2024, the company announced that it would initially support only US English, with more languages to come next year. Currently, users in China and the European Union cannot access these features at all. However, Apple has stated that it is consulting with local regulators about rolling them out in these regions.
During a briefing following Apple’s quarterly financial report, CEO Tim Cook addressed questions about the prospects for Apple Intelligence in other markets, particularly China and the EU. While he didn’t provide a detailed response, Cook mentioned that Apple is “working” with regulators to make the AI features available “to everyone.” The company is still in the process of understanding the regulatory requirements for AI in different countries before it can provide specific timelines for the international rollout.
Some of the Apple Intelligence features were released with the iOS 18 developer beta on the iPhone 15 Pro. Users with appropriate accounts in certain countries can set their phone’s language settings to English and the region to the US to access these features. However, this workaround is not available in China and the EU, where Apple has completely blocked access to the AI suite. For the EU, Apple cited “privacy and security concerns,” likely referring to local laws governing AI. In China, regulations require user data to be processed on servers within the country rather than sent overseas.
Language Support and Device Compatibility
Regarding support for additional languages, Cook reiterated that Apple Intelligence will debut in US English this fall, with support for new features and languages coming “over the next year.” He did not specify whether these updates would arrive with iOS 18 or if they would be delayed until the fall of 2025 with the release of iOS 19. The features will be available for free on iOS 18 and macOS 15, but will require the latest devices equipped with Apple’s M1 or later chips, as well as both versions of the iPhone 15 Pro, notes NIXSolutions.
As Apple continues to navigate the complex landscape of international AI regulations and language support, the company remains committed to expanding the availability of its Apple Intelligence suite. We’ll keep you updated on any developments regarding the global rollout and additional language support as Apple works towards making these features accessible to a wider audience.
While Apple faces challenges in bringing its AI technology to markets like China and the EU, the company’s efforts to collaborate with regulators demonstrate its commitment to expanding the reach of Apple Intelligence. As the situation evolves, users around the world eagerly await the opportunity to experience these innovative AI features on their Apple devices.