TLDR
- Alibaba is forming a Foundation Model Task Force to speed up AI development after the resignation of Qwen division head Lin Junyang.
- The task force will be led by CEO Eddie Wu, Group CTO Wu Zeming, and Alibaba Cloud CTO Zhou Jingren.
- Lin was the third senior Qwen executive to leave Alibaba in 2025.
- Zhou Jingren will continue leading Tongyi Laboratory and its ongoing AI projects.
- Alibaba says it will scale up investment in AI research and increase hiring of top talent.
Alibaba is responding to leadership turbulence in its AI division by going straight to the top. CEO Eddie Wu sent a memo to staff at Tongyi Laboratory — the team behind the Qwen AI models — confirming the new task force and the company’s plans to double down on foundation model development.
Alibaba Group Holding Limited, BABA
Lin Junyang announced his departure on X, where he was met with well-wishes from across the AI community, including Chinese startup MiniMax. Wu thanked Lin for his contributions in the memo.
Lin’s exit marked the third senior Qwen executive to leave this year, raising eyebrows about stability within one of China’s most closely watched AI teams.
The newly formed task force puts Alibaba’s most senior tech leaders directly in charge of AI model development. Wu, Wu Zeming, and Zhou Jingren will work together to coordinate resources across the wider group.
In the memo, Wu said advancing foundation models is a “core strategic priority” for the company’s future.
He added that Alibaba will continue its open-source model strategy while increasing investment in AI research and development.
Talent acquisition is also on the agenda. The memo specifically mentioned accelerating the recruitment of top talent as part of the push.
Leadership Continuity at Tongyi Lab
Zhou Jingren keeps his role leading Tongyi Laboratory, the research arm inside Alibaba Cloud that builds the Qwen models. He will drive ongoing projects while also taking on the new task force responsibilities.
The Qwen model series has been one of Alibaba’s flagship AI products, gaining attention in the open-source community for its performance and accessibility.
Having Zhou stay on provides some continuity at the research level even as senior leadership shifts around him.
Alibaba Doubles Down on AI Investment
The task force announcement is backed by a broader commitment to put more money and people into AI. Alibaba didn’t give specific funding numbers, but the language in the memo was direct about scaling up.
Wu’s note to staff said the company will “further scale up investment in AI research and development.”
Lin’s departure sparked the response, but the structure Alibaba is putting in place suggests this is more than a short-term fix. Putting the CEO and two CTOs in direct coordination over foundation models is an unusual move.
The memo was addressed to colleagues at Tongyi Laboratory and later shared publicly by Alibaba.
Alibaba Cloud CTO Zhou Jingren now holds a dual role — running Tongyi Lab and sitting on the new task force alongside Alibaba’s top two executives.
The company confirmed Lin’s resignation in the staff letter and said it accepted his decision.
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