Alibaba unveils new AI model for image creation, as open-source approach gains recognition

Alibaba Group Holding has launched a new artificial intelligence (AI) model, Qwen VLo, said to be capable of generating and editing images with a finesse akin to that of a human artist, intensifying the competition in multimodal models as the tech giant seeks to redefine itself as an AI leader.

Released on Friday, Qwen VLo was a “comprehensive upgrade” from previous models like QwenVL and Qwen2.5 VL, the company said. It could better understand input and create more precise images, accommodate open-ended instructions, and support multiple languages, including Chinese and English. A preview is now available on Qwen Chat.

Qwen VLo also supports diverse input and output formats, offering increased flexibility for users and making it ideal for creating posters, illustrations, web banners, and social media covers. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.

The new model adds to the intense competition in China’s AI landscape, as rivals such as ByteDance and SenseTime strive to introduce their own multimodal models designed to interpret various types of input data, including text, video, and audio. In contrast, traditional AI models only handle one type of input.

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Alibaba has been doubling down on AI and cloud computing, as it moves to streamline its sprawling operations. In February, the company pledged to invest more than 380 billion yuan (US$52 billion) in AI infrastructure over the next three years.

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