Archive · 11 Jan 2026
Alibaba's Qwen Chief Highlights US AI Edge
Justin Lin, who leads Alibaba's Qwen AI models, talked about how China's AI companies are struggling to keep up with the US.
He said that because of rules from the US, Chinese companies can't get the best computer parts they need.
This makes it hard for them to do important research.
Instead, they have to focus on making products for customers.
Even though some Chinese AI companies are doing well in the market, Lin thinks they might not be able to catch up to US companies like OpenAI in the next few years.
He also mentioned that US companies can spend a lot of money on research, while Chinese companies have to use most of their resources just to meet customer demands.
Justin Lin, head of Alibaba's Qwen AI models, believes the odds of any Chinese company surpassing US leaders like OpenAI are less than 20% in the next 3-5 years.
US export controls have limited Chinese firms' access to advanced semiconductors, forcing them to prioritize commercial deployment over long-term research.
Lin highlighted that OpenAI dedicates a massive amount of compute to next-generation research, whereas Chinese companies are stretched thin meeting delivery demands.
The imbalance raises questions about innovation and whether it happens in the hands of the rich or the poor.
Despite market momentum, limited compute resources may cap Chinese AI companies' ability to pursue long-horizon research that has propelled US firms ahead.
- Who
- Justin Lin, head of Alibaba's Qwen series of open-source large language models
- What
- Discussion on the impact of US export controls on China's AI development
- When
- During the AGI-Next summit in Beijing
- Where
- Beijing, China
- Why
- To highlight the growing structural gap between Chinese and US AI labs due to computing power constraints and US export controls
- Company
- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.
- AI Model Series
- Qwen
- Event
- AGI-Next summit in Beijing
- Key Speaker
- Justin Lin
- US Export Controls Impact
- Limited access to advanced chips
- Chinese AI Firms' Focus
- Commercial deployment over research
- Market Activity
- Zhipu AI and MiniMax Group raised over $1 billion