Tim Cook Says On-Device AI Gives Apple A Competitive Edge Ahead Of Siri Upgrade

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said the company sees “enormous opportunities” in artificial intelligence despite spending less on infrastructure than some of its largest technology rivals.

Speaking after Apple’s quarterly earnings, Cook said the company’s AI strategy relies on a hybrid model that processes some requests directly on iPhones and Macs rather than entirely through cloud infrastructure. Shares came under pressure following the results amid concerns over supply constraints and the company’s outlook.

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Device-Based AI Differentiates Strategy

Cook said Apple’s ability to process certain AI requests on-device provides a competitive advantage.

“The ability to run some percentage of requests on device is also very strategic and sort of a competitive weapon,”
he said.

The approach differs from that of Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and Meta, which have committed billions of dollars to expanding AI infrastructure and data centres. Apple reported capital expenditure of $2.46 billion in the June quarter, below the StreetAccount estimate of $3.44 billion. Cook said operating expenses are increasing and the company continues to invest in AI.

Focus On Privacy And Efficiency

Apple said many Apple Intelligence features are designed to run on users’ devices rather than remote servers. Cook cited Disney as an example of a company using Macs for on-device AI workflows, saying the approach helps reduce cloud token costs while protecting intellectual property.

Siri Rollout Will Test Hybrid Model

Apple plans to introduce an upgraded Siri this fall using the iPhone’s processor to interpret requests and determine which on-device model should handle them.

The company said more complex requests, including some image-generation tasks, will continue to rely on cloud infrastructure. Apple has previously said those workloads use Google Cloud infrastructure powered by Nvidia graphics processors and Intel central processors.

Apple Eyes AI Revenue Through Services

Cook said Apple has not yet finalised plans to charge customers directly for AI features but sees opportunities to expand iCloud+ subscriptions.

“We do believe there will be people that want to use it a lot, and so we will have some kind of upgrade possibilities on iCloud+,”
he said.

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Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

by News Editor

August 17, 2026

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

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IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.

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