Investing.com — The future of artificial intelligence lies not just in algorithms but in imagination, according to Wang Jian, founder of Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) Cloud. In a recent Bloomberg interview, he said China\u2019s next leap in AI will depend on creativity in applications rather than building ever-larger models.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cToday you can see actually the technology is getting real. And the problem we\u2019re trying to solve is a real problem,\u201d Wang said, reflecting on the maturation of AI since the 1980s. This transformation, he noted, is mirrored in how increased computational resources fundamentally reshape human thinking and problem-solving paradigms.<\/p>\n
Wang drew a comparison between advancements in computing and modes of transportation, arguing that just as a car or an airplane changes how one travels, massive computing power \u201cchanged our way of thinking, doing things.\u201d He was skeptical, however, of framing AI development as a leap from narrow AI to AGI and ASI, calling such categorization misleading and non-essential to the actual technological evolution.<\/p>\n
While many tech leaders focus on building more powerful models, Wang said the real frontier lies in application development. \u201cWe really need to fund some people with creativity to write application[s],\u201d he stressed, pointing out that foundational models in China, such as those from Alibaba\u2019s Qwen and DeepSeek, are already powerful and just need imaginative use cases to unlock broader value.<\/p>\n
As a key figure behind Alibaba Cloud, Wang is deeply familiar with China\u2019s innovation pipeline and ecosystem. He sees the domestic market not simply as a consumer base but as a \u201ctestbed of our new technology,\u201d enabling real-time experimentation and rapid product validation, even if many early-stage attempts don\u2019t survive.<\/p>\n
Wang characterized AI development as a marathon rather than a sprint and expressed optimism that no current advantage is insurmountable. \u201cI didn\u2019t see any advantage of today becoming a barrier for other people to catch up,\u201d he said, arguing that the sector remains open for new entrants and breakthroughs.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, Wang remains resolute that China\u2019s strength lies not only in scale but in its willingness to explore, iterate, and embrace technological uncertainty. As AI continues to redefine both markets and mindsets, he stressed that the journey has only just begun, and the real innovation is yet to come.<\/p>\n
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