Alibaba Introduces Next-Gen AI Model
Alibaba unveiled its latest artificial intelligence (AI) reasoning model, QwQ-32B, on Thursday, asserting that it surpasses leading models from OpenAI and DeepSeek. The announcement triggered an 8% surge in Alibaba’s Hong Kong-listed shares by market close, also lifting the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index.
This development follows another AI breakthrough from China a day earlier. AI firm Monica introduced Manus, a general AI agent designed for complex, multi-step tasks. A demonstration video highlighted Manus’ ability to screen resumés and build websites, showcasing practical applications beyond simple idea generation.
QwQ-32B: Alibaba’s Advanced AI Model
Alibaba positioned QwQ-32B as a leading performer in reasoning tasks, emphasizing its superiority over OpenAI-o1-mini and its competitive edge against DeepSeek-R1, the most powerful open-source reasoning model. The company highlighted QwQ-32B’s advancements in mathematics, coding, and general capabilities, calling it a “qualitative leap” in AI development.
Despite having just 32 billion parameters, significantly fewer than DeepSeek’s 671 billion, QwQ-32B achieves high efficiency with faster processing and lower training costs. By optimizing parameter efficiency, Alibaba aims to enhance real-world AI applications while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
DeepSeek had previously gained international attention in January with its R1 model, which demonstrated robust reasoning abilities. By training its AI at a lower cost than Western counterparts, DeepSeek bolstered global confidence in China’s AI innovation sector. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index has climbed over 30% since January, reflecting growing investor interest in Chinese technology firms.
Alibaba’s Expanding AI and Cloud Computing Investments
Alibaba has consistently pushed forward its AI initiatives. In 2023, the company launched Tongyi Qianwen, China’s equivalent to ChatGPT, following OpenAI’s revolutionary model. In January 2024, Alibaba introduced Qwen 2.5 Max, claiming it outperformed DeepSeek’s V3 model in multiple benchmarks.
Last week, Alibaba reaffirmed its long-term commitment to AI by pledging at least 380 billion yuan ($52.4 billion) over the next three years for AI and cloud computing advancements. This investment surpasses its total spending in these sectors over the past decade, underscoring the company’s strategic focus on technological innovation.
China Strengthens Focus on Emerging Technologies
China’s leadership reinforced its dedication to emerging technologies on Wednesday, pledging increased funding for artificial intelligence, humanoid robots, and quantum computing. These commitments align with the country’s broader strategy to establish itself as a global leader in AI and digital transformation.
As Chinese AI firms continue making strides in innovation, international competition in the artificial intelligence sector is set to intensify. Alibaba’s latest AI advancements signal China’s growing influence in the global AI landscape, positioning the country as a formidable force in future technological breakthroughs.
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