Alibaba Doubles Down on Open-Source AI Strategy as Qwen Models Gain Global Traction

Alibaba Group Holding has reaffirmed its commitment to open-source artificial intelligence, positioning transparency and broad developer access at the centre of its AI strategy as adoption of its models accelerates worldwide. The Chinese technology giant said its approach has helped drive rapid uptake of its AI services over the past year, particularly its Qwen family of large language models.

Speaking on Tuesday, Alibaba Group Holding said open-source development remains a core pillar of how it builds and deploys artificial intelligence. The company argued that making models openly available encourages faster innovation, wider real-world testing, and stronger trust among developers, enterprises, and public institutions.

At the heart of Alibaba’s AI push is Qwen, its flagship large language model series. Since being released under open-source licences, Qwen models have been downloaded and adapted by developers across industries ranging from e-commerce and finance to healthcare and education. Alibaba said this broad usage demonstrates how open models can scale more quickly than closed systems, particularly in markets outside the United States.

Alibaba executives highlighted that Qwen’s performance in multilingual tasks, coding, reasoning, and enterprise applications has improved significantly over the past year. The company credits community feedback and external contributions for accelerating model refinement, an advantage it says closed ecosystems struggle to replicate. Developers have been able to fine-tune Qwen for specific tasks, deploy it on local infrastructure, and integrate it into existing workflows without heavy licensing constraints.

The reaffirmation of Alibaba’s open-source stance comes amid intense global competition in artificial intelligence. US tech firms have largely favoured proprietary models, while China has increasingly promoted open frameworks as a way to build domestic ecosystems and reduce reliance on foreign technology. Alibaba’s leadership argues that openness does not undermine commercial success, but rather expands the market for AI-driven cloud services and enterprise solutions.

Alibaba said demand for AI-related services on its cloud platform has surged alongside Qwen’s adoption. Many companies using the open-source models later choose to purchase computing power, deployment tools, and enterprise support from Alibaba Cloud, creating a commercial pathway without restricting access to the underlying technology.

The company also framed open-source AI as strategically important for long-term sustainability. By allowing developers to inspect and modify models, Alibaba says it can address concerns around bias, security, and reliability more effectively. Executives noted that open models are subject to broader scrutiny, which can improve safety and robustness over time.

Academics and industry observers say Alibaba’s approach reflects a broader Chinese strategy to shape global AI standards through openness rather than dominance of proprietary platforms. By making Qwen widely available, Alibaba increases its influence over how AI systems are built and deployed, particularly in emerging markets where cost and flexibility are critical factors.

Alibaba acknowledged that open-source development also presents challenges, including the risk of misuse and the difficulty of controlling downstream applications. The company said it is investing in governance tools, usage guidelines, and collaboration with regulators to ensure responsible deployment while maintaining openness.

Looking ahead, Alibaba said it plans to continue expanding the Qwen ecosystem, releasing more capable models and supporting a wider range of hardware and deployment environments. The company expressed confidence that open-source AI will remain central to its identity as a technology leader.

As the global AI race intensifies, Alibaba’s message is clear. Rather than locking innovation behind paywalls, it believes the future lies in shared foundations, with value created through scale, services, and real-world adoption rather than exclusivity alone.