Core Insights - The departure of Alibaba's technical veteran Cai Jingxian marks the end of an era for the company, as he was a key figure in its technological development for 25 years [1][4] - Alibaba is undergoing a significant shift in its talent strategy under the leadership of Wu Yongming, reflecting the intense competition for AI talent in the industry [4][5] Talent Dynamics - Cai Jingxian, known as "Duo Long," was instrumental in building the Taobao trading and forum systems, earning him the nickname "Code God" within Alibaba [1][4] - The company has seen a notable loss of core AI talent this year, with several prominent figures leaving for competitors like JD.com, Tencent, and ByteDance [4] - In response, Alibaba is actively constructing a new talent ecosystem, successfully recruiting several high-profile experts from leading tech firms [4][5] Investment Strategy - Alibaba has demonstrated a strong ambition in cutting-edge technology sectors, leading a $350 million investment in AI chip company Suiyuan Technology and a $120 million investment in generative AI firm Huanshengtai [5] - The company is also acquiring autonomous driving company Yuanrong Qixing, aiming to build a comprehensive technology ecosystem from foundational chips to application layers [5] Talent Development Initiatives - Alibaba is upgrading its internal talent development system through initiatives like the "Nebula Plan" fund and collaborations with the Chinese Academy of Sciences [5] - The company is focusing on a sustainable talent cultivation mechanism, combining recruitment, investment, and training to adapt to the competitive demands of the AI era [5] Financial Performance - Alibaba's AI-related revenue from cloud services has seen a year-on-year growth of 127%, with a quarter-on-quarter increase of 210% in API calls for large models, indicating steady progress in its technological layout [5] - The proposed investment of 380 billion yuan in AI infrastructure by Wu Yongming supports this talent strategy and reflects the company's commitment to maintaining its technological edge [5]