Alibaba will partner with Apple to support iPhones' AI services offering in China, its chairman said on Thursday, a move likely to help the U.S. company ease falling smartphone sales in its key market.

Apple will work with Chinese tech giant Alibaba to roll out AI services in the world’s biggest market for mobile phones, in a move that removes months of uncertainty for the Cupertino-based firm.

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.