On March 25th, Joseph Tsai, Chairman of Alibaba Group, shared his insights at the HSBC Global Investment Summit, pointing out the emerging signs of a bubble in the current construction of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. He believes that many investment announcements in US data centers are "duplicative" or overlapping. Simultaneously, Tsai revealed that Alibaba's employee count has bottomed out and the company will restart its recruitment plan.
Regarding the booming AI wave, Tsai categorized companies involved into three types: First, those focusing on model research and development, such as OpenAI and DeepSeek; second, those investing in infrastructure construction, such as database companies; and third, Alibaba, which is actively developing both aspects. This means Alibaba will not only invest in and provide AI technology services but also leverage its technological advancements to support its internal business growth.
Tsai's statement reveals concerns about the overheating of AI infrastructure while clearly outlining Alibaba's strategic layout in the AI era, showcasing its dual driving force in technology R&D, service output, and meeting internal needs.
