Alibaba launches new Qwen LLMs in China’s latest open-source AI breakthrough
CNBC1 day
Qwen3: Alibaba Debuts Hybrid AI Model In Open-Source Push
Above: A diagram showing the flow of user queries with Qwen AI, developed by Alibaba Cloud, presented at the Alibaba Cloud AI Tech Day in Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 27, 2025. Image copyright: Samsul Said/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
Open-source AI models like Qwen 3 democratize access to cutting-edge technology, allowing developers worldwide to build applications without the high costs associated with proprietary systems. The Apache 2.0 license removes usage-based legal hurdles, enabling innovation across industries while providing viable alternatives to Western AI giants. This approach accelerates global AI development by fostering collaboration and competition in ways closed systems cannot match.
Anti-China narrative
The rapid advancement of Chinese AI models raises significant security and ethical concerns as these systems potentially cut corners to achieve performance gains. Despite export controls on advanced chips to China, state-of-the-art AI models continue to proliferate, creating challenges for regulatory oversight and raising questions about data privacy, content restrictions, and the potential for misuse. Users should carefully review governance implications before adopting models trained by China-based vendors.