Qwen App Hits Milestone

Alibaba's Qwen app has achieved over 10 million downloads within a week of its relaunch, signalling a strong entry into the AI consumer market. This milestone highlights the increasing demand in China for local AI solutions, particularly as access to Western platforms like OpenAI's ChatGPT remains restricted. The Qwen app consolidates existing Alibaba AI functionalities, rebranding them under a single, user-friendly interface available on iOS, Android, web, and PC.

Qwen distinguishes itself as a smart personal assistant designed to execute tasks beyond simple conversations. It offers tools for in-depth research, AI-assisted coding, camera-based features, and voice interactions. The app is powered by Alibaba's Qwen3 model and is designed to bring AI capabilities to everyday users. Alibaba has invested significantly in AI infrastructure, with plans to invest at least 380 billion yuan over the next three years.

Analysts view Qwen's debut as strategically important for Alibaba, potentially boosting its long-term valuation and revitalising its consumer business. The company plans to integrate more advanced, agent-style capabilities to support online shopping and lifestyle services across its platforms. This move aligns with Alibaba's broader strategy to benchmark against AI leaders and strengthen its position in the consumer AI market.