[News] Apple Reportedly Plans to Team Up with Baidu, Sparking AI Server Deployment Trend

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Apple is reportedly intensifying its AI efforts, with plans to collaborate with Baidu on the Chinese version of its iPhone 16 series this year, as per a report from Economic Daily News. The devices will feature Baidu’s developed Generative AI technology, thus sparking a new wave of AI server deployment by Baidu.

In China, due to official requirements, providing generative AI services to ordinary consumers requires prior approval and scrutiny from relevant authorities. Only Chinese companies like Baidu and Alibaba have been granted permission. Apple has chosen Baidu as its AI service partner in the Chinese market.

According to the aforementioned reports, Apple and Baidu have entered into negotiations, planning to integrate Baidu’s generative AI services into products such as the iPhone for sale in China. By incorporating a Chinese version of AI, Apple aims to enhance its competitive advantage in the Chinese market.

Inventec, a Taiwanese manufacturer, has had close collaboration with Baidu for 13 years in the field of customized server manufacturing, has jointly developed an AI computing platform. Serving as a key server manufacturing partner for Baidu’s “All in AI” strategy, Inventec plays a major role in Apple’s swift push into the Chinese AI market alongside Baidu.

Inventec has traditionally refrained from commenting on order dynamics and customer relationships, emphasizing instead the robust shipment momentum of AI servers this year. Shipments are expected to more than double compared to last year. With AI server revenue accounting for approximately 5% to 6% last year, it is projected to surpass 10% this year.

Sources cited by the same report from Economic Daily News are optimistic that with Baidu becoming a key partner for Apple in the China’s generative AI landscape, Inventec’s AI server shipment momentum is poised to amplify, benefiting from the opportunities brought by the collaboration between Apple and Baidu.

As per a previous report from TrendForce, Baidu’s foray into AI chips can be traced back to as early as 2011. After seven years of development, Baidu officially unveiled its self-developed AI chip, Kunlun 1, in 2018. Built on a 14nm process and utilizing the self-developed XPU architecture, Kunlun 1 entered mass production in 2020. It is primarily employed in Baidu’s search engine and Xiaodu businesses.

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(Photo credit: Apple)