BEIJING, Sept 22 (Reuters) – Alibaba Group plans to train a new artificial intelligence model with between 5 trillion and 10 trillion parameters , Chief Executive Eddie Wu said on Tuesday, as the Chinese technology giant outlined …
So, it seems Alibaba is not just satisfied with being a giant in e-commerce; they want to conquer the AI universe as well. Recently, at the Alibaba Cloud’s annual Apsara Conference in Hangzhou, CEO Eddie Wu dropped a bombshell: the company plans to train a new AI model with an astonishing 5 trillion to 10 trillion parameters. Yes, you heard that right. That’s a number that makes even the most seasoned tech enthusiasts do a double-take.
To put this in perspective, their current flagship model, Qwen 3.8 Max, has a mere 2.4 trillion parameters. So, we’re talking about a model that could potentially be two to four times larger than what they currently have. I mean, who wouldn’t want their AI to be the size of a small galaxy?
Wu mentioned that the Qwen team is working hard on optimizing the model architecture and data, aiming to tackle more complex tasks and inch closer to what they call artificial superintelligence (ASI). Because why not aim for the stars when you already have a rocket?
In addition to these ambitious models, Alibaba also introduced a shiny new chip called the Zhenwu V900. This chip is touted as the most powerful AI chip in China, boasting a performance that is three times better than its predecessor, the M890. With a single cluster of these chips capable of supporting up to 500,000 cards, one can only imagine the computing power they’ll have at their disposal. Just think of it as a tech geek’s dream come true, or perhaps a supervillain’s secret weapon.
Now, let’s talk numbers. Wu set a target for Alibaba Cloud’s global data center capacity to surpass 20 gigawatts by 2032. That’s some serious power. However, he also acknowledged that global shortages across the AI data center supply chain are slowing down their expansion. It’s like having a sports car but being stuck in traffic. Frustrating, isn’t it?
But fear not! Wu reassured us that the demand for AI is “exceptionally robust.” And while they’re facing supply issues, they’re planning to bring their AI supernodes online commercially this quarter. So, it looks like they’re not just sitting around twiddling their thumbs.
Wu also made a rather bold statement, comparing this moment to the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. According to him, machines will eventually produce more than 1,000 times the “thinking” of all humanity. You heard it here first, folks: we’re on the brink of a Machine Intelligence era, and it sounds like we might all need to step up our game.
In his view, AI coding is merely the light bulb of this new age, a humble beginning rather than the end product. So, if you thought you were witnessing the peak of AI innovation, think again! The truly groundbreaking products are yet to come.
In summary, Alibaba is clearly not messing around. With their plans for AI models that are literally off the charts and chips that could power a small city, they’re positioning themselves as major players in the AI landscape. So, buckle up; the future looks like it’s going to be one wild ride. Just remember to keep your sense of humor intact as we navigate this brave new world of AI and tech. After all, it’s going to take a lot of thinking—human and machine—to get there!
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