Alibaba unveils Qwen-3.5, sharpening global race to spread AI models

2026-02-16 - 09:29

Alibaba Cloud has unveiled its next-generation open artificial intelligence model, Qwen-3.5, in a move set to have major implications for the global AI race between China and the US. The much-anticipated release, timed on the eve of the Lunar New Year, capped a frenetic week in which nearly every major Chinese AI developer rolled out new flagship models. The two new 3.5-series models were made available first on Alibaba’s flagship consumer AI app Qwen on Monday afternoon, with an official...