TLDR
- Following Qwen division leader Lin Junyang’s resignation, Alibaba is creating a Foundation Model Task Force to accelerate artificial intelligence initiatives.
- CEO Eddie Wu, Group CTO Wu Zeming, and Alibaba Cloud CTO Zhou Jingren will jointly lead the new task force.
- Three senior Qwen executives have departed from Alibaba during 2025, with Lin being the most recent.
- Tongyi Laboratory and its current AI initiatives will remain under Zhou Jingren’s leadership.
- The company announced plans to expand AI research investment and accelerate recruitment of elite talent.
Facing significant leadership changes within its artificial intelligence operations, Alibaba has elevated oversight to its highest executive level. In an internal communication to Tongyi Laboratory personnel — the division responsible for developing Qwen AI models — CEO Eddie Wu outlined the newly established task force and confirmed the organization’s intensified focus on foundation model advancement.
Alibaba Group Holding Limited, BABA
Taking to X to share news of his resignation, Lin Junyang received supportive messages from throughout the artificial intelligence sector, including from Chinese AI company MiniMax. Wu’s memo acknowledged and expressed gratitude for Lin’s work at the company.
With Lin’s resignation, Alibaba has now seen three high-ranking Qwen executives depart in 2025, prompting questions about leadership stability in one of China’s premier AI development teams.
The formation of this task force places Alibaba’s highest-ranking technology executives in direct oversight of AI model advancement. The trio of Wu, Wu Zeming, and Zhou Jingren will collaborate to align resources throughout the organization.
According to Wu’s communication, pushing forward with foundation models represents a “core strategic priority” essential to the company’s trajectory.
The CEO emphasized that Alibaba remains committed to its open-source model approach while simultaneously boosting financial commitment to AI research and development activities.
Hiring initiatives are also receiving attention. The internal memo specifically highlighted plans to speed up recruitment efforts targeting leading AI talent.
Leadership Continuity at Tongyi Lab
Maintaining his current position, Zhou Jingren continues overseeing Tongyi Laboratory, the research division within Alibaba Cloud responsible for Qwen model development. He’ll continue managing existing projects while simultaneously handling his new task force duties.
The Qwen model lineup has emerged as a prominent AI offering from Alibaba’s portfolio, earning recognition within open-source circles for its capabilities and ease of access.
Zhou’s continued presence ensures operational stability at the research tier despite executive-level personnel transitions occurring above.
Alibaba Doubles Down on AI Investment
Supporting the task force creation is a comprehensive pledge to allocate additional financial resources and personnel toward artificial intelligence. While Alibaba withheld precise investment figures, the memo’s language clearly communicated plans for expansion.
In his staff communication, Wu stated the organization will “further scale up investment in AI research and development.”
While Lin’s exit triggered this organizational response, the structural framework Alibaba is implementing indicates a long-term strategic shift rather than a temporary adjustment. Positioning the CEO alongside two chief technology officers in direct coordination over foundation models represents an uncommon organizational approach.
The internal communication was initially directed to Tongyi Laboratory team members before Alibaba made it available publicly.
With his expanded responsibilities, Alibaba Cloud CTO Zhou Jingren now manages both Tongyi Lab operations and participates in the newly formed task force alongside the company’s senior leadership.
In the staff correspondence, the company acknowledged Lin’s decision to resign and confirmed its acceptance of his departure.
