Alibaba splits AI team to sharpen consumer and business focus
Dec 21, 2024 - scmp.com
Alibaba Group Holding has restructured its AI development teams by separating the team responsible for its AI chatbot, Tongyi Qianwen, from the team that develops its large language model (LLM). This change aims to enhance the company's focus on consumer-facing products. The AI chatbot team will now be part of the Intelligent Information Platform, which manages consumer-oriented services like UC Browser and Quark search engine. Meanwhile, the LLM research and development division, Tongyi Lab, will remain under Alibaba Cloud to concentrate on fundamental research and support specific products.
This strategic move reflects the competitive landscape among China's Big Tech companies, which are striving to transform AI technology into practical applications. Tongyi Qianwen, a ChatGPT-style generative AI service, is recognized as one of China's leading AI models. The reorganization is part of Alibaba's efforts to better position itself in the rapidly evolving AI market.
Key takeaways:
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Alibaba has separated the AI chatbot team from the large language model (LLM) team to better serve the consumer-facing market.
The AI chatbot team will join the Intelligent Information Platform, which manages consumer products like UC Browser and Quark.
The LLM research and development division, Tongyi Lab, will remain part of Alibaba Cloud to focus on fundamental research.
Tongyi Qianwen is a leading generative AI model in China, similar to ChatGPT, and part of Alibaba's efforts to turn AI technology into products.
