
AI attack: Alibaba presents its AI model Qwen 2.5-Max and reportedly outperforms DeepSeek, GPT-4o (OpenAI) and Llama (Meta) – Image: Xpert.Digital
AI race: Alibaba unveils new flagship model and puts pressure on competitors - Research
Alibaba launches a frontal attack with Qwen 2.5-Max ChatGPT and DeepSeek
Alibaba's unveiling of its new AI model, Qwen 2.5-Max, has caused considerable stir in the AI industry. The Chinese technology company claims that its new model surpasses the competition in numerous aspects and sets new standards in AI development.
Performance and benchmark results
According to Alibaba, the Qwen 2.5-Max demonstrates consistent superiority over other top models in the industry:
- The model outperforms “almost consistently GPT-4o, DeepSeek-V3 and Llama-3.1-405B” in various benchmarks.
- Particularly good results were achieved in tests such as Arena-Hard, LiveBench, LiveCodeBench and GPQA-Diamond, which are considered demanding benchmarks for AI performance.
A key advantage lies in the model's efficiency. Despite its high training capacity, the computing resources have been optimized, allowing Qwen 2.5-Max to operate more efficiently than many competing models. This could represent a significant benefit for companies seeking cost-effective and high-performance AI solutions.
Suitable for:
Record-breaking training data and technological architecture
Alibaba highlights that Qwen 2.5-Max was trained on over 20 trillion tokens – a remarkable figure that sets new standards. This is achieved through an innovative Mixture-of-Experts (MoE) architecture, which allows the model to selectively utilize specific computing resources for different tasks. This not only improves efficiency but also increases the versatility of the AI.
The architecture is based on advanced neural networks that can process different tasks in parallel. This method allows for scalable and adaptive resource utilization, resulting in higher computing power while simultaneously reducing energy consumption.
Market influence and strategic timing
Alibaba chose a surprising time for the launch: The Qwen 2.5-Max was unveiled on the first day of the Chinese New Year. This is seen as a deliberate signal to the competition that the company is ready to further expand its position in the global AI race.
The announcement had an immediate impact on the stock market:
- Alibaba shares rose by 2.8% after the announcement.
- Investors reacted optimistically to the technological innovation and its potential impact on Alibaba's business.
- The share price reflects confidence in the progress, particularly regarding AI integration in Alibaba Cloud.
- Experts predict that Qwen 2.5-Max could significantly strengthen Alibaba's cloud computing business.
At the time of publication, the Alibaba share price on Tradegate was EUR 93.70, with an increase of 1.74%.
Suitable for:
Competition and global impacts
The release of Qwen 2.5-Max comes at a time of intense competition, particularly between Chinese and US technology companies. In addition to Alibaba, ByteDance and Tencent have also developed or updated their own AI models, further intensifying competition within China.
Globally, China is increasingly relying on open-source AI to shorten innovation cycles and become less dependent on US technology. Goldman Sachs sees significant potential in this approach for the further spread of AI applications, which will open up new possibilities, especially in enterprise and cloud computing.
At the same time, competition is intensifying with Western companies like OpenAI, Google, and Meta. While OpenAI has launched a strong competitor with GPT-4o, it remains to be seen how the next generations of ChatGPT and Google's Gemini will react to Alibaba's offensive.
Multimodal skills and application areas
A notable advancement of Qwen 2.5-Max lies in its multimodal capabilities. While most previous comparisons have focused on text-based tasks, this model also boasts powerful image and video processing capabilities. This significantly expands its possibilities in the following areas:
- Media production: Automatic image and video analysis for content categorization.
- E-commerce: Improved product recommendations and intelligent customer interaction.
- Education: Customizable learning platforms with interactive multimedia elements.
- Research & Development: Application in data-driven simulation models.
Challenges and open questions
Despite the promising features of the Qwen 2.5-Max, some questions remain unanswered. Independent tests and comparative studies are needed to objectively assess its actual performance and efficiency compared to other top models.
Furthermore, the question arises as to the economic sustainability of Alibaba's resource-intensive approach. While competitors like DeepSeek rely on cost-efficient training methods, Alibaba pursues a strategy that demands significant computing resources. This could impact its competitiveness in the long term, especially as economies of scale and cost-benefit considerations become increasingly important.
A new milestone with global impact
With Qwen 2.5-Max, Alibaba has unveiled an ambitious model that could significantly impact the AI landscape. Its strong benchmark performance, multimodal capabilities, and improved efficiency set new industry standards.
Nevertheless, the AI race remains open: OpenAI, Google, Meta, and other companies are already working on the next generation of their models. The coming months will show whether Qwen 2.5-Max can maintain its leading position or whether new challengers will once again change the game.
One thing is certain: AI development is progressing at a breathtaking pace, and the future will hold many more exciting innovations.
Our recommendation: 🌍 Limitless reach 🔗 Networked 🌐 Multilingual 💪 Strong sales: 💡 Authentic with strategy 🚀 Innovation meets 🧠 Intuition
At a time when a company's digital presence determines its success, the challenge is how to make this presence authentic, individual and far-reaching. Xpert.Digital offers an innovative solution that positions itself as an intersection between an industry hub, a blog and a brand ambassador. It combines the advantages of communication and sales channels in a single platform and enables publication in 18 different languages. The cooperation with partner portals and the possibility of publishing articles on Google News and a press distribution list with around 8,000 journalists and readers maximize the reach and visibility of the content. This represents an essential factor in external sales & marketing (SMarketing).
More about it here:
The Rise of the Dragon: Alibaba's Qwen 2.5-Max Storms the AI Stage - Background Analysis
Alibaba Qwen 2.5-Max: The AI model that makes OpenAI sweat
The artificial intelligence (AI) landscape is constantly evolving, a race characterized by breathtaking advances and ever-emerging competitors. In this dynamic environment, Chinese tech giant Alibaba made a bold statement with the release of its latest AI model, Qwen 2.5-Max. The announcement, made on the first day of the Chinese New Year, sent shockwaves through the industry and sparked a host of questions and speculation. Could Alibaba's Qwen 2.5-Max truly eclipse established giants like OpenAI and DeepSeek?
Suitable for:
- Open source AI from China-so Deepseek plunges the tech world into chaos-less GPUS, more AI power
- The AI quake: Deepseek R1 reveals the weaknesses of the tech industry-is that the end of the AI boom?
Qwen 2.5-Max: A quantum leap in AI development?
Alibaba's claims regarding the Qwen 2.5-Max are bold. The company announces that its model "almost consistently outperforms GPT-4o, DeepSeek-V3, and Llama-3.1-405B" in various benchmarks. This statement, supported by impressive performance figures in disciplines such as Arena-Hard, LiveBench, LiveCodeBench, and GPQA-Diamond, is certainly noteworthy.
What makes Qwen 2.5-Max so special? A key factor is the enormous amount of data used to train the model. Over 20 trillion tokens are said to have been used in the training, which Alibaba describes as a new record for a Foundation model. This sheer volume of data enables the model to recognize patterns and relationships at a depth that could shatter previous limitations.
But data alone isn't everything. Alibaba also emphasizes the efficiency of Qwen 2.5-Max. Despite its impressive performance, the model is said to require significantly fewer computing resources than other comparable models. This is a crucial advantage, as the development and operation of AI models are often associated with enormous costs. The model's efficiency suggests an innovative architecture that optimally utilizes computing power. This efficiency could represent a significant competitive advantage, as it not only reduces costs but also enables faster and more sustainable AI solutions.
The technical foundation of Qwen 2.5-Max is the use of a Mixture-of-Experts (MoE) approach. This architecture enables flexible use of computing power by selecting the appropriate "expert" from a group of specialized modules for each task. This approach optimizes performance and makes the model more versatile and adaptable.
The role of timing: A strategic declaration of war
The choice of the Chinese New Year release date for Qwen 2.5-Max was no coincidence. It reflects the growing competitive pressure in the AI industry and underscores Alibaba's ambition to take a leading role in the global AI market. The strategic timing of the announcement amidst the festivities highlights the seriousness of the situation and the company's determination to make a lasting impression. It sends a clear signal to the competition that Alibaba is at the forefront of AI development.
The stock market's reaction to the announcement was also remarkable. Alibaba shares rose by 2.8 percent, underscoring investor confidence in the new technology and its potential impact on the company's business. This increase is a testament to the high expectations and interest in the potential of Alibaba's AI initiatives.
A look at the competition: The Chinese AI ecosystem
The launch of Qwen 2.5-Max is not the only event driving the Chinese AI market. In recent months, other Chinese technology companies like ByteDance and Tencent have also unveiled or updated their own AI models. This increasing competition highlights the dynamic development of AI in China and the desire to take a leading role in the global AI sector. The rivalry between these tech giants is fueling innovation and accelerating the development of new technologies.
The recent release of the AI assistant DeepSeek also caused a stir in the industry. DeepSeek, also developed in China, relies on cost-efficient training methods and demonstrates that innovation doesn't always have to come with high costs. The competition between Alibaba and DeepSeek highlights the diversity of approaches in Chinese AI development and the different strategies of the individual companies.
Open Source as a driving force for innovation
A notable trend in China is the shift towards open-source AI. This strategy aims to accelerate innovation and reduce reliance on US technology. By opening up AI models and platforms, an ecosystem is created that enables broader participation and faster progress. This could fundamentally change the global dynamics of the AI sector and lead to greater diversification of technological contributions.
Alibaba's decision to offer an OpenAI-compatible interface for Qwen 2.5-Max also demonstrates this trend. By enabling easy integration into existing applications, the company promotes the adoption and use of this new technology. This move shows that Alibaba is not only interested in improving its own technology but also wants to contribute to advancing AI development worldwide.
The impact on the global AI market: A new player enters the stage
The rapid advances in Chinese AI development are also putting pressure on US technology companies. The increasing capabilities of Chinese AI models could lead to a paradigm shift in the global AI market. It is no longer a given that the US will set the pace in AI development. Competition is intensifying, and it will be exciting to see what new innovations will emerge from this global power struggle.
Goldman Sachs sees enormous potential in China's increasingly powerful AI models for the widespread adoption and use of AI applications. This is a key driver of economic growth and technological development worldwide. The increasing availability of powerful AI tools is expected to lead to a multitude of new applications that could transform our lives in many ways.
Developments in China are intensifying the global AI race. While Alibaba has set a new milestone with Qwen 2.5-Max, all eyes are now on the next versions of ChatGPT and Gemini. The rapid development of the AI industry promises continued exciting innovations and intensified global competition in the near future. It is important to emphasize that these developments represent not only a race for technological supremacy but also an opportunity for humanity. AI has the potential to solve many of our most pressing problems and improve our lives in numerous ways. The question is how we use this technology responsibly.
Multimodal capabilities and the future of AI
Although most comparisons of Qwen 2.5-Max focus on text-based tasks, the model also possesses multimodal capabilities that enable the processing of images and videos. These capabilities are crucial for the development of comprehensive AI systems capable of understanding and interacting with the real world in all its facets. Multimodal information processing is an important step towards a more human-like AI, capable of solving complex tasks across diverse contexts.
The ability to not only understand text but also process visual information opens up a multitude of new application areas. AI models that can analyze images and videos could, for example, play a crucial role in medical diagnostics, robotics, and autonomous vehicle development. The integration of multimodal capabilities is a critical step in evolving AI from abstract text models to dynamic and interactive systems.
Costs and resources: A critical factor
Unlike some Western competitors such as DeepSeek, which rely on cost-effective training methods, Alibaba appears to be pursuing a more resource-intensive approach with Qwen 2.5-Max. This is a significant difference that could impact the long-term competitiveness of each company. While DeepSeek demonstrates that innovation is possible even with limited resources, Alibaba is banking on performance through the use of massive amounts of training data. The question of which strategy is superior will become clear in the coming years.
The resource consumption of AI models is relevant not only from an economic perspective but also from an environmental one. The enormous computing power required for training AI models leads to significant energy consumption. It is therefore important that companies consider both economic and environmental aspects when developing AI models and seek sustainable solutions.
The importance of independent assessments
Despite Alibaba's impressive claims, it is crucial that independent comparisons and reviews confirm the actual performance and efficiency of Qwen 2.5-Max compared to other leading AI models. It is essential that these reviews are transparent and verifiable to provide a realistic picture of the current AI landscape. The challenge lies in developing standardized benchmarks that can comprehensively measure the diverse capabilities of AI models.
The development of AI is progressing at a rapid pace, and it is crucial that we closely monitor and critically examine these developments. Only in this way can we ensure that AI technology is used for the benefit of humanity and that its potential risks are minimized. Promoting global collaboration in AI development is essential to guarantee fair competition and ensure that AI benefits everyone.
A future with AI
The announcement of Alibaba's Qwen 2.5-Max is yet another example of the dynamic development of the AI industry. The world is on the cusp of a new era in which AI will play an increasingly important role. It is crucial that we develop and use this technology responsibly. The coming years will show how the AI race continues to evolve and what other innovations await us. One thing is certain, however: Artificial intelligence will significantly influence the future of humanity, and it is up to us to actively shape that future.
The development of Qwen 2.5-Max and related advancements demonstrate that AI technology is not merely a tool for businesses, but also has the potential to fundamentally transform our daily lives. It is time for us, as a society, to engage with these developments and actively participate in shaping the future of AI. The race for dominance in the AI world is not just a race for technological superiority, but also a race to shape the future of humanity.
Suitable for:
We are there for you - advice - planning - implementation - project management
☑️ SME support in strategy, consulting, planning and implementation
☑️ Creation or realignment of the digital strategy and digitalization
☑️ Expansion and optimization of international sales processes
☑️ Global & Digital B2B trading platforms
☑️ Pioneer Business Development
I would be happy to serve as your personal advisor.
You can contact me by filling out the contact form below or simply call me on +49 89 89 674 804 (Munich) .
I'm looking forward to our joint project.
Xpert.Digital - Konrad Wolfenstein
Xpert.Digital is a hub for industry with a focus on digitalization, mechanical engineering, logistics/intralogistics and photovoltaics.
With our 360° business development solution, we support well-known companies from new business to after sales.
Market intelligence, smarketing, marketing automation, content development, PR, mail campaigns, personalized social media and lead nurturing are part of our digital tools.
You can find out more at: www.xpert.digital - www.xpert.solar - www.xpert.plus

