Chinese technology giant Alibaba plans to ask major users of the next version of its ​Qwen open-source AI model for a share of revenue they make from the hotly anticipated offering, according to two people familiar with the company's plans

What happened

Alibaba announced it will require major users of the upcoming version of its open‑source Qwen AI model to pay a share of the revenue they earn from the model’s commercial use.

Confirmed

Global impact / market context

The revenue‑share plan could create a new income stream for Alibaba and may influence how quickly companies adopt Qwen, shaping competition among AI providers and affecting the broader AI ecosystem in China.

Analyst inference

AI development is intensifying globally, with firms racing to commercialise large language models. Open‑source offerings like Qwen aim to attract developers, while revenue‑sharing introduces a hybrid model between free access and monetisation.

Analyst inference

What to watch

1. Whether leading AI users accept the revenue‑share terms or seek alternative models, which will affect Qwen’s market uptake. Analyst inference
2. How the revenue‑share approach impacts Alibaba’s earnings and its competitive position against other Chinese AI firms. Analyst inference
3. Potential regulatory scrutiny in China over profit‑sharing arrangements for open‑source software, which could alter the model’s rollout. Analyst inference

Evidence

• x.com