Less than a month after unveiling the QWQ-32B (QWEN2.5-32B), an AI inference model that competes with DeepSeek’s R1, Alibaba is back with another release.
On Thursday, Alibaba Cloud launched its latest addition to the QWEN series, the QWEN2.5-OMNI-7B. The new model handles not only text, but also images, audio and video, providing real-time responses in both text and natural audio. In short, it’s built to do more than just chat.
The company says the QWEN2.5-OMNI-7B is efficient enough to run on edge devices like smartphones, providing developers with flexibility without compromising the output.
“This unique combination provides the perfect foundation for developing agile, cost-effective AI agents that provide concrete values, especially intelligent voice applications,” says Alibaba.
One use case the company points out is that it helps visually impaired users navigate their surroundings through real-time audio descriptions.
The model is open-sole with Hug faces and Github, part of the broader shift that has been happening throughout China’s AI scene since Deepseek opened source for the R1 model. Alibaba Cloud says it has more than 200 generation AI models available to the public.
The AI space in China is moving rapidly. Since Deepseek’s splash earlier this year, companies like Alibaba and Baidu have been rolling out new models and tools at a fierce pace. Last week, Baidu dropped a new multimodal foundation model, along with a version focused on the first reasoning.
Alibaba rolled out QWEN2.5 in January, updated its AI Assistant Quark earlier this month, adding QWEN2.5-OMNI-7B to the mix. Push is supported by serious funding. Last month, the company announced its $53 billion investment plan over the next three years, building more cloud and AI infrastructure than what it has spent in the space over the past decade.
The momentum appears to be rewarding. Alibaba recently partnered with Apple to integrate AI into iPhones sold in China. We also expanded our contract with BMW to bring AI technology to the next-generation intelligent vehicle of the automaker.
Kaiwan, a senior equity analyst at Morningstar, told CNBC that Alibaba’s position is strong because it is building the infrastructure needed not only for AI models but also for its large-scale implementation.
QWEN2.5-OMNI-7B is another part of that puzzle, a clear signal that Alibaba has not retreated into the fight for AI leadership in China.
Alibaba’s AI Push surpasses its own model
Alibaba is not only focused on building its own AI, but also supports other Chinese AI startups. In late 2023, the company joined Tencent and other investors, investing $340 million in Openai’s competitor, Zhipu.
Zhipu positions itself as one of China’s top generation AI startups and plays an important role in shaping the country’s AI landscape. Meanwhile, tech giants like Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu aren’t just about investing. They are actively developing their own AI models and developing new products equipped with this technology.
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