February 24, 2025

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Alibaba Invests $52B in AI, Cloud Over Next Three Years

The world of artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving, with significant investments and innovations emerging across various sectors. In this news brief, we'll delve into the latest developments, from Alibaba's massive investment in AI infrastructure to the growing trend of AI adoption in industries such as finance and travel.

Alibaba Plans to Invest $52B in AI, Cloud Over Next Three Years

Alibaba Group, a Chinese tech giant, has announced plans to invest more than $52 billion in artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure over the next three years. This investment underscores the company's focus on AI-driven growth and its role as a leading global cloud provider. Alibaba's shares have gained almost 90% in the past 12 months, and the company's CEO Eddie Wu emphasized the need to 'aggressively invest' in cloud and AI spending over the next three years.

DBS to 'Shrink Workforce' by 4,000 in 3 Years due to AI Adoption

DBS Group's CEO Piyush Gupta announced that the bank expects a 10 per cent reduction in its workforce over the next three years due to deeper AI integration. Gupta highlighted the significant impact of AI on job creation, noting a unique challenge in repurposing employees. The bank has cautiously embraced AI across various operations, including customer outreach and credit underwriting.

AI Nonprofit CEO Says 'Closed Nature' of Most Artificial Intelligence Research Hinders Innovation

The Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, or Ai2, is pushing for openness in AI research. The institute's CEO Ali Farhadi has been running Ai2 since 2023 after a stint at Apple. He spoke with The Associated Press, emphasizing the need for open-source AI models and the importance of transparency in AI research. Farhadi believes that AI is getting ready to be taken seriously for crucial problem domains such as science discovery.

Future of AI in Focus at Web Summit Qatar 2025

The future of artificial intelligence has been the focus of tech entrepreneurs and financial backers gathered in Doha for the second annual Web Summit hosted by Qatar. The four-day digital technology and emerging innovation summit kicked off its second day on Monday, with attendees eyeing an AI environment being transformed rapidly. Leading entrepreneurs from around the world, including Alexander Wang, founder and CEO of Scale AI, and Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and general partner at Seven Seven Six, took centre stage at the event on the opening day.

Exclusive: Qatar Airways to Launch AI Travel Agent

Qatar Airways plans to launch an AI-powered travel booking agent on Monday, a tool that builds on the carrier’s AI release last year and which reflects a growing trend in the industry. The new tool is an extension of Qatar’s AI cabin crew, known as “Sama,” which was branded as a “digital human” on Qatar’s virtual reality platform.

Apple Announces $500 Billion US Investment in Bet 'on the Future of American Innovation'

Apple announced Monday that it will spend and invest more than $500 billion in the US over the next four years, including plans to build a new manufacturing factory, double its advanced manufacturing fund, and hire 20,000 people. The company will also double its US Advanced Manufacturing Fund, which was established in 2017 to support high-skilled manufacturing jobs.

China’s AI Race Heats Up: Alibaba to Spend $53 Billion on AI Infrastructure

Alibaba's $53 billion announcement for AI sets a record for the largest investment ever by Chinese private enterprises in the field of cloud and artificial intelligence hardware infrastructure construction. Chinese tech giant Alibaba on Monday announced that it will invest more than $53 billion on AI (artificial intelligence) infrastructure such as data centers over the next three years, according to a Bloomberg report.

Key Takeaways

  • Alibaba plans to invest $52 billion in AI and cloud infrastructure over the next three years.
  • DBS Group expects a 10 per cent reduction in its workforce over the next three years due to deeper AI integration.
  • The Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence is pushing for openness in AI research.
  • Qatar Airways plans to launch an AI-powered travel booking agent.
  • Apple will spend and invest more than $500 billion in the US over the next four years.
  • Alibaba will invest more than $53 billion on AI infrastructure over the next three years.

Sources

Artificial Intelligence Alibaba Cloud Infrastructure DBS Group AI Adoption AI Research Open-Source AI Models Web Summit Qatar 2025 AI Travel Agent Qatar Airways Apple US Investment American Innovation China's AI Race AI Infrastructure Data Centers