Alibaba executive argues open source is key to AI adoption, highlights qianwen model ecosystem

During the opening of the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen on November 3, 2026, Alibaba Group co-founder and Chairman of the Board, Cai Chongxin, asserted that open-sourcing is the only viable path to widespread AI adoption. He emphasized that open-source initiatives significantly lower research and development costs, which is particularly vital for developing nations, amid growing demand and insufficient computing power. Cai Chongxin disclosed that Alibaba's Qianwen has released over 470 open-source models, accumulating more than 4 billion global downloads, with over 330,000 derivative models created. This sentiment aligns with a previous October report from Bloomberg, where Cai urged Europe to adopt open-source AI to achieve technological independence from China and the United States, while also calling for the continent to build its own AI infrastructure. Furthermore, Cai Chongxin predicted that AI will transition from a prominent topic to an invisible infrastructure within five years, integrating into every business function much like the internet. He framed the Chinese approach to AI openness as a philosophical choice, comparing it to a top university offering scholarships globally, ensuring broader benefit from the technology.