Alibaba's Qwen Model Provides Affordable Alternative to DeepSeek

Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd, a leading Chinese technology company, has introduced the Qwen model, a cost-effective alternative to the well-known DeepSeek AI. Researchers from Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, have successfully trained their AI models using Alibaba's open-source technology, managing to keep their training costs below $50.

According to a recent research paper, these scientists leveraged the capabilities of Alibaba's Qwen 2.5-32b-Instruct model. This development highlights the ongoing advancements in AI technology, particularly from Chinese firms, as they continue to establish their presence in the fast-paced artificial intelligence sector.

The introduction of the Qwen model comes at a time when the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has made headlines with its impressive open-source AI model named R1, notable for its performance and cost efficiency. The Qwen model from Alibaba offers features that challenge the existing models in the market.

In September, Alibaba rolled out its Qwen 2.5 series of open-source models, which come in different sizes, ranging from 0.5 billion to 72 billion parameters. These models are designed to enhance performance in various applications, including mathematics and coding, and provide support for over 29 languages, making them versatile tools for developers and researchers.

Experts believe that the Qwen model's success is indicative of China's growing capabilities in technological innovation, particularly in areas related to artificial intelligence.

Alibaba, AI, Innovation