During the WWDC 2024 event, Apple introduced Apple Intelligence, initially available only in US English. However, users in China and the European Union are currently unable to access these new AI features. Apple has stated that it is collaborating with regulators in these regions to address this issue.
According to 9to5mac report, Apple CEO Tim Cook addressed inquiries about expanding Apple Intelligence to additional markets, including China and the EU. Cook indicated that Apple is actively working with regulatory bodies to understand and meet local requirements before setting a timeline for broader availability.
Tim Cook has said that Apple is actively working with regulatory authorities in China and the EU to understand and comply with their specific regulations. He acknowledged that Apple’s goal is to make their new AI features available to as many users as possible. However, before they can commit to a detailed schedule for launching these features in those regions, they need to fully understand and address the regulatory requirements in each area.
Currently, while Apple Intelligence is accessible in English, users outside the US can only preview the features by changing their device settings to US English. For users in China and the EU, however, the AI functionalities remain inaccessible due to regulatory constraints.
Apple cited “privacy and security concerns” as the reasons for restricting access in the EU, likely due to stringent local AI regulations. In China, legal requirements mandate that data processing occurs on local servers rather than being transmitted internationally.
Tim Cook also reiterated that Apple Intelligence will launch this fall with support for US English, with additional languages and features to be introduced over the next year. Cook did not specify whether these updates would be part of a new iOS 18 version in the first half of 2025 or with the anticipated iOS 19 release in the fall of 2025.
The Apple Intelligence features will be available at no additional cost with the iOS 18 and macOS 15 updates. However, they require the latest Apple devices, including M1 or newer iPads and Macs, as well as the iPhone 15 Pro.
