Alibaba launches new version of AI assistant tool as competition heats up

Core Insights - Alibaba Group launched a new version of its AI assistant app powered by its Qwen AI reasoning model to enhance its competitive edge in the AI application market [1][3] - The updated app integrates various functions such as chatbot capabilities, deep thinking, and task execution into a single platform [2] - Alibaba's chairman emphasized the importance of practical applications in maximizing AI model intelligence [2] Investment and Development - Alibaba unveiled its latest AI reasoning model, QwQ-32B, claiming it rivals leading models like DeepSeek-R1 [3] - The company plans to invest 380 billion yuan ($52.5 billion) in cloud computing and AI infrastructure over the next three years [3] - Qwen AI has reportedly performed well in official benchmark tests, indicating Alibaba's growing influence in the AI sector [3] Partnerships and Market Position - Manus AI, developed by the startup Butterfly Effect, announced a strategic partnership with Alibaba, aiming to outperform OpenAI's DeepResearch [4] - Experts noted that Alibaba is making significant progress in its AI cloud business, with a notable profit increase in the December quarter driven by its Cloud Intelligence unit and e-commerce segment [5] - Alibaba has secured a partnership with Apple Inc for AI integration on iPhones, positioning itself to compete with OpenAI [5] Market Performance - Alibaba's shares in Hong Kong fell by 2.45$16.9) on the day of the news [5]