CEO Tim Cook has pointed to Apple's AI lag as a major factor in its eroding market share, but the company's cautious, privacy-first approach may not be enough to turn the tide. © AP
_Vivian Toh is the chief editor of TechTechChina, a Chinese tech news startup._
Apple is scrambling to reclaim its footing in China, a market where AI-powered smartphones have already redefined user expectations. Once the dominant player in premium smartphones, Apple now finds itself on the defensive, forced to play by China's rules while trying to stay competitive. The U.S. tech giant's latest move -- an uncharacteristic [collaboration with Alibaba Group](https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Baidu-to-make-Ernie-chatbot-free-as-Alibaba-and-Apple-team-up-on-AI) -- shows how it is playing catch-up.