Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing division of Alibaba, has partnered with Meta to support the open-source artificial intelligence (AI) model called Llama. This collaboration makes Alibaba the first Chinese enterprise to offer support for Meta’s Llama model, allowing Chinese businesses to develop programs using this innovative AI technology. The move is seen as a strategic step to boost Chinese businesses in a highly competitive market.
Meta recently released Llama2, a commercial version of its AI model Llama. They plan to bring Llama2 to smartphones using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon AI Engine. This state-of-the-art model provides businesses with a cost-effective alternative to proprietary models offered by companies like OpenAI and Google.
Although Meta has identified Microsoft as their preferred partner for Llama2, other partners such as Alibaba are also offering access to this AI model. This collaboration with Meta could attract long-term customers for Alibaba’s cloud business, which is facing increased competition domestically and preparing for a stock market listing.
The adoption of Llama2 allows Alibaba to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and advancements in AI technology, a field where Chinese companies have faced restrictions on accessing U.S.-developed technologies.
In addition to supporting Meta’s AI model, Alibaba has been actively developing its own AI models. Earlier this year, the company introduced its AI chatbot called Tongyi Qianwen, which aims to rival OpenAI’s powerful ChatGPT. Currently available for testing by invitation to select corporate customers, Tongyi Qianwen showcases Alibaba’s commitment to staying at the forefront of AI technology.
Alibaba Cloud has also recently launched Tongyi Wanxiang, an AI image generator that uses a generative AI model to respond to text prompts and produce detailed images in various styles. This tool, currently undergoing beta testing for enterprise customers in China, demonstrates Alibaba’s dedication to offering cutting-edge AI solutions.
China has been striving to catch up with the United States in the field of AI. The Chinese government encourages domestic companies to develop their own AI models that can compete with those developed by U.S. companies. Alibaba’s adoption of Llama2, along with its own AI model developments, positions the company as a key player in this rapidly evolving industry.
The race for AI dominance between the United States and China continues to intensify, with both countries focused on gaining an upper hand in this transformative technology. The United States is considering imposing new restrictions on AI chip exports to China, potentially slowing down China’s progress in AI development.
Nevertheless, Chinese tech companies are actively developing their AI capabilities. Baidu, China’s leading search engine and AI company, has announced the development of a new version of its ErnieAI chatbot, which reportedly outperforms OpenAI’s ChatGPT in generating more natural and engaging conversations in both Chinese and English. Baidu plans to release this version, Ernie 3.5, as an open-source project and integrate it into their own products and services.
Additionally, Wang Huiwen, co-founder of Meituan, one of China’s largest e-commerce platforms, plans to create a Chinese counterpart to OpenAI. He firmly believes that China can deliver AI products that are just as functional and impressive as the popular ChatGPT, further fueling the competition in the AI field.
Overall, Alibaba’s collaboration with Meta and its progress in developing its own AI models highlight China’s determination to excel in AI technology. As this competition continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how these advancements shape the global AI landscape.
