OpenAI represents the most influential company in the context of Artificial intelligence e Large language models, also known as LLMs, but this predominant position may soon be under threat. Chinese technology companies, in fact, are working hard to provide an Asian answer to ChatGPT.
Confirming this there are several recent posts on X by researchers from Alibaba, through which an insight into the approach of the famous e-Commerce to the development of LLM is offered “Made in China“.
Whoever works to realize this impressive project has a well-defined daily plan. The alarm clock is set at 9.00 in the morning, while the time to go to sleep is set at 1.00. The days first include some meetings and then actual planning sessions, alternating with training and brainstorming with colleagues.
Once working hours are over, in their home, the developers continue to work and experiment on the models, until they go to bed.
Alibaba is focusing strongly on AI and LLM: substantial investments, quality researchers and discipline are the keys to overcoming OpenAI
A high work pace is not the only ace up the sleeve for Alibaba. The enormous amount of talent that is launched into the world of work by Chinese universitiesin fact, they provide a constantly increasing qualified workforce. All this, combined with the economic power of companies, will most likely make AI a vital sector for the development of the Asian country.
So far, no specific name of reference has emerged in the context of Chinese LLMs, even if there are many companies that have put their hands on the portfolios, with substantial investments. Alibaba, in addition to working on its own internal LLM, is aggressively investing in startups like Baichuan, Moonshot AI e Zhipu AI.
All this has led the company to already have a certain influence in its geographical Asia. In December, in fact, Alibaba released an LLM that supports several Southeast Asian languages called SeaLLM. Precisely this introduction could constitute a future Chinese influence regarding AI in Asia and beyond.