21世纪经济报道·2025-11-17 11:45Core Viewpoint - Alibaba is making a significant push into the AI to C market with the launch of the "Qianwen" project, positioning it as a key strategic initiative in the AI era, aiming to compete directly with ChatGPT and other AI applications [1][5][6]. Group 1: Project Overview - The "Qianwen" app was officially launched on November 17, 2023, and is based on the open-source model Qwen3, focusing on integrating various life scenarios to create a comprehensive service network [1][4]. - The project is led by Wu Jia, president of Alibaba's Intelligent Information Business Group, and is viewed by the management as a critical battle for the future in the AI landscape [1][5]. - The app aims to provide not just conversational capabilities but also practical functionalities, distinguishing itself from other AI applications [9][11]. Group 2: Technological and Market Context - Alibaba's Qwen model has surpassed competitors like Llama and DeepSeek, becoming one of the most powerful and widely used open-source models globally, with over 600 million downloads [5][6]. - The global AI to C market is projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2030, with an annual growth rate exceeding 35%, indicating a ripe environment for Alibaba's entry into this space [6]. - The company has committed significant resources, including an investment of 380 billion yuan in AI infrastructure, to support the development of applications like Qianwen [5][6]. Group 3: Strategic Integration and Future Plans - The Qianwen app is designed to serve as a super entry point for various services, integrating functionalities such as maps, food delivery, ticket booking, and more, to enhance user engagement within Alibaba's ecosystem [11]. - The app's development is part of a broader strategy to streamline user experiences and reduce operational steps, ultimately keeping users within Alibaba's service network [10][11]. - Future plans include integrating Qianwen with other Alibaba products, such as the Quark AI capabilities, to create a unified AI assistant that can handle diverse user tasks [6][11].