Jack Ma, the visionary behind Alibaba Group, recently made an unannounced visit to Alibaba Cloud’s headquarters in Hangzhou. His presence there was much more than a casual drop-in; it was a strong signal of his support for the division’s bold AI expansion plans. At 60, Ma still exudes the energy and leadership that helped build Alibaba into a powerhouse. During his visit, he wore a T-shirt celebrating Alibaba Cloud’s 15th anniversary and proudly displayed an employee badge with his code name, Feng Qingyang, a nod to a legendary kung fu hero.
While the specifics of his agenda weren’t disclosed, Ma’s visit was a powerful reminder of his lasting influence and leadership within the company he founded. For many in China’s private sector, Ma remains a beacon of inspiration, with his early speeches still resonating widely online. On April 10, 2025, Ma was warmly welcomed by Alibaba Cloud employees, a testament to the enduring impact he has on the company culture.
Recently, Ma has been more visible at Alibaba’s facilities, aligning with the company’s strategic shift from e-commerce to AI innovation. At an event in December 2024 celebrating Alipay’s 20th anniversary, Ma highlighted AI’s transformative potential, saying, “The changes AI will bring in the next 20 years will exceed everyone’s imagination, ushering in a greater era.” Earlier this year, he also took part in a noteworthy symposium in Beijing with President Xi Jinping and other business leaders.
During his visit, Ma was joined by Alibaba’s CEO Eddie Wu Yongming, who is spearheading the AI initiative. This visit coincided with the launch of Alibaba Cloud’s Blossom project, an exciting venture aimed at accelerating AI integration. The project offers clients a comprehensive suite of infrastructure, models, and data services, setting the stage for widespread AI adoption. Alibaba Cloud, as China’s largest cloud service provider, holds over a third of the market, playing a crucial role in deploying AI models across various sectors. Their Qwen large language models are especially popular among developers worldwide, underscoring their significant impact on the tech landscape.
Ma’s engagement with Alibaba Cloud during the Blossom project’s announcement is designed to make AI adoption easier and more accessible, aiming to reach millions of clients with customized AI solutions. It’s an ambitious goal, but with Ma’s backing and Alibaba’s resources, it’s one that seems well within reach.
For those of you navigating the evolving tech industry, Ma’s continued involvement in AI at Alibaba serves as a reminder of the importance of visionary leadership and the impact it can have on driving innovation.
