Alibaba has scored a prized deal as it tries to carve out a lead in the highly competitive artificial intelligence race. Apple’s iPhones in China will use Alibaba Group’s AI technology, chairman Joe Tsai said. That confirmed an earlier report that sent the Hangzhou-based company’s shares briefly soaring as much as 9.2% in Hong Kong.

Apple is partnering with Alibaba to roll out artificial intelligence features for iPhone users in China, the Information reported on Tuesday, citing one person with direct knowledge of the decision.

Apple selected Baidu as its main partner last year, but the company's progress in developing models fell short of its standards, the report said.