Alibaba

Alibaba launched its first smart‑glasses, the Quark AI Glasses, in two models (S1 at ¥3,799 and G1 at ¥1,899). Integrated with Alibaba’s Qwen large‑language model and the new Qwen app, they offer voice‑activated translation, real‑time meeting transcription, product price lookup on Taobao, and AR visual recognition. The S1 features a higher‑resolution display. Alibaba aims to expand its consumer‑AI ecosystem, betting on rapid growth in AR wearables—projected to exceed 10 million shipments by 2026—while facing price, battery and supply‑chain challenges.

Alibaba’s fiscal second-quarter revenue exceeded expectations, driven by a 34% surge in cloud computing revenue attributed to AI investments. Cloud Intelligence Group saw triple-digit growth in AI-related product revenue for the ninth consecutive quarter. Despite a drop in overall profitability due to investments in quick commerce, Alibaba’s shares rose. The company plans increased capital expenditure on AI infrastructure. Qwen, Alibaba’s ChatGPT competitor, achieved over 10 million downloads in its first week. Quick commerce emerges as a strategic pillar with ambitious GMV targets.

After Chinese regulators halted Ant Group’s IPO in 2020, Alibaba faced a tumultuous period marked by regulatory scrutiny and market capitalization loss. Jack Ma retreated from the public eye, and the company underwent restructuring. However, Alibaba quietly invested in AI, developing its own foundational models and open-source AI offerings. CEO Eddie Wu is now prioritizing “user first” and “AI-driven” strategies, aiming to position Alibaba as a key player in the AI race between the US and China.

Alibaba’s Qwen AI app achieved 10 million downloads in its first week, surpassing the adoption rates of ChatGPT and others. Unlike Western subscription models, Qwen offers free access and integrates AI into Alibaba’s ecosystem. This “agentic AI” performs tasks across e-commerce, maps, and more. Qwen’s success, fueled by its open-source LLM, poses competitive implications for businesses, especially regarding cost and vendor lock-in. Enterprises must weigh free-access benefits against long-term sustainability and geopolitical dynamics when developing AI strategies.

Alibaba is launching Quark AI Glasses, its first venture into AI wearables, powered by its Qwen large language model and Quark AI assistant. Pre-orders begin October 24th at 4,699 yuan (discounted to 3,999 yuan), shipping in December. Alongside, Alibaba introduces “AI Chat Assistant” in its Quark app, featuring photo editing, problem solving, and AI-assisted writing. This move signifies Alibaba’s push into consumer-facing AI, positioning it against competitors like Meta and Xiaomi in the smart glasses and digital assistant market.

Alibaba is investing $53 billion in AI over three years, aiming to boost e-commerce operations and drive future growth. AI tools are being implemented across the platform, from personalized search to virtual try-ons. Early tests show a 12% increase in advertising returns with AI integration. Alibaba expects AI to significantly impact Singles Day sales, a crucial consumer spending event. Despite muted spending trends, last year’s Singles Day saw substantial growth, highlighting the importance of such events. Alibaba prioritizes AI and consumption investments for long-term success.

Alibaba’s Hong Kong shares surged to 2021 highs after announcing increased AI investment and new AI product updates. Shares jumped over 6%, boosting year-to-date gains above 107%. CEO Eddie Wu revealed plans to increase spending on AI models and infrastructure on top of the existing 380 billion yuan investment. Alibaba unveiled the Qwen3-Max large language model and updates to its AI portfolio, emphasizing its position as a full-stack AI service provider. Wu projected over $4 trillion global AI investment in the next five years, highlighting Alibaba’s strategic AI pivot.

Alibaba’s shares rose after reports of a deal with China Unicom to use its AI chips, boosting China’s domestic semiconductor efforts. China Unicom will deploy Alibaba’s Pingtouge AI accelerators for a large-scale data center project, also using chips from MetaX and Biren. This move aligns with China’s push for self-reliance amidst geopolitical tensions and export restrictions on advanced AI chips, particularly as Nvidia faces regulatory hurdles. Alibaba is developing new AI chips and operates a major cloud platform, further emphasizing its role in China’s AI landscape.

Alibaba, JD.com, and Meituan are intensifying competition in China’s hard discount retail sector. Meituan recently launched “Happy Monkey,” a self-operated supermarket, joining Alibaba’s rebranded “Super Hema Suan NB” and JD.com’s quietly launched discount supermarkets. This model focuses on offering high-quality products at significantly lower prices by streamlining product selection, negotiating directly with suppliers, and emphasizing private label brands. Unlike traditional retail, hard discount prioritizes cost control and efficient supply chains, potentially benefiting consumers with lower prices and increased value.

Alibaba’s Hong Kong shares surged over 19% driven by strong cloud computing results and AI chip development news. Cloud revenue grew 26% YoY, fueled by AI services, with AI-related product revenue experiencing triple-digit growth for the eighth consecutive quarter. The company’s investments in AI and its entrance into China’s competitive “instant commerce” market are viewed favorably despite temporary earnings pressure. Overall, positive sentiment followed a solid earnings report with significant net income increase and promising e-commerce revival signs.