Alibaba has taken another significant step in its commitment to artificial intelligence by establishing an internal team dedicated to robotics . This innovative initiative will operate from Qwen, the company’s AI modeling division. As the Chinese tech giant , known for its pioneering open-source AI models, embarks on this new venture, it aims to explore the applications of AI in the robotics sector , which is garnering increased interest not only in industrial settings but also in domestic projects.
Leadership of the Initiative. The initiative is spearheaded by Justin Lin , a technology manager at Qwen and a recognized expert in multimodal models —models that can process text, sound, and images simultaneously. Lin announced the formation of this specialized team, focused on embodied AI technology , through his social media channels. His previous success in developing Qwen models, which are now among the most esteemed in the global open-source community, establishes a powerful foundation for this new endeavor.
<img alt="OpenAI and Anthropic have been eating Google's toast with their AI to work: the company believes it has the solution" width="375" height="142" src="https://i.blogs.es/83aa2f/google/375_142.jpeg"/>Vision for the Future. According to Lin, the evolution of multimodal AI models is indicative of a shift toward “ fundamental agents ” capable of executing complex and long-term reasoning tasks, catalyzed by reinforcement learning . He emphasized the necessity for these technologies to transition from being exclusively virtual tools to physical devices that can interact meaningfully with the world. This vision encapsulates the essence of Alibaba’s strategy to harness cutting-edge AI technology in practical, real-world applications.
Alibaba’s Strategic Investment. This announcement aligns with Alibaba’s broader strategy within the sector. Just last month, the company played a crucial role in a financing round, contributing $140 million to X Square Robot , a Chinese robotics startup. Eddie Wu, Alibaba’s CEO, expressed optimism, predicting that global investment in AI could skyrocket to $4 trillion within the next five years, underscoring the immense potential that lies within the industry.
The Competitive Landscape. Alibaba is not venturing into this burgeoning market alone. Competitors like Nvidia and SoftBank are also making significant strides in smart robotics . Recently, SoftBank announced its acquisition of ABB’s industrial robotics division for $5.4 billion , illustrating the escalating competition within the sector. Meanwhile, Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang characterized the integration of AI with robotics as a “ multi-billion dollar ” long-term growth opportunity. China stands out as a leading power in robotics, with its factories installing nearly 300,000 industrial robots in just 2024—outpacing global installations by a remarkable margin.
Leveraging the Qwen Advantage. Placing this new robotics team within the Qwen division is a strategically wise decision. The Qwen series currently features seven models that rank among the top ten in Hugging Face’s leaderboard, with its Qwen3-Omni multimodal model occupying the top position. This strength in AI equips Alibaba with a robust foundation to develop sophisticated robotic applications, building upon the progress made with the Qwen models.
As the AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly, Alibaba’s commitment to integrating robotics into its operations signifies a transformative approach to technology. The internal robotics team represents not only an investment in innovation but also a stark indication of the company’s ambition to influence and redefine consumer and industrial experiences through advanced technology.
Cover image | zhang hui and Possessed Photography
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