Alibaba and Tencent shift AI focus from chatbots to embodied robotics systems
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Summary
Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Tencent are shifting focus from AI chatbots to embodied AI for robotics. Alibaba's newly launched Qwen3.7-Max model features tool-calling capabilities that enable it to act as a digital brain for controlling robots, handling navigation, obstacle avoidance, and task planning. This pivot reflects a broader industry trend where investors view embodied AI and autonomous agents as the next major growth area in the AI sector.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledAlibaba Group Holding's Qwen3.7-Max model, launched last week, features 'tool-calling' capabilities that allow the AI model to act as a digital brain to trigger external software and hardware components.
The company said the model could be used to control robots by orchestrating physical actions like navigation, obstacle avoidance and task planning.
Embodied AI and autonomous agents are increasingly viewed by investors as one of the next major growth areas for the sector, UBS says.
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