Alibaba founder Jack Ma has returned to the company he left six years ago, taking on a new and active role. According to sources close to the company, Ma is reportedly spearheading investments in artificial intelligence and effectively taking the helm. Ma’s return has not yet been officially announced, but he is said to have been more active at Alibaba in recent weeks.

Jack Ma back at Alibaba

Ma’s return is linked to the Chinese government’s changing attitude toward the private sector. The trade and technology war with the US has forced Beijing to recognize the importance of the private sector in areas such as artificial intelligence and the defense industry.

Forced to leave Alibaba in 2019 due to a falling out with the government, Ma has once again become a strategic figure in the AI ​​race as one of China’s most successful entrepreneurs.

Under Ma’s leadership, Alibaba plans to invest 380 billion yuan ($53.4 billion) in AI-related fields over the next three years. These investments aren’t limited to AI models like Qwen; they also encompass data centers and cloud services, which are critical to China’s AI infrastructure.

Ma’s return also means he must contend with stiff competition from local rivals like JD and PDD, which have recently surged in e-commerce.

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