Alibaba deepens AI push with new chip and bigger model

Alibaba says it is developing an artificial intelligence model up to four times larger than its current flagship iteration, Qwen 3.8 Max. | REUTERS

REUTERS

Sep 22, 2026

BEIJING – Alibaba Group said on Tuesday it was developing an artificial intelligence model up to four times larger than its flagship system and unveiled a next-generation AI chip it called China’s most powerful, sending shares up 5%.

The launch comes as Chinese technology companies race to develop domestic alternatives to Nvidia’s AI processors amid tightening U.S. export curbs.

The announcements at Alibaba Cloud’s annual Apsara conference in the eastern city of Hangzhou underscore the Chinese technology giant’s push to build out every layer of its AI business.

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