Alibaba’s Qwen AI App Crosses 10 million Downloads in a Week

Alibaba has re-entered the AI arena with renewed energy, and the results are already turning heads. The company relaunched its consumer AI app, now branded as Qwen, on November 17, 2025. Within a week, it crossed ten million downloads, becoming one of the fastest-growing AI apps in China. The surge in user adoption also boosted Alibaba’s Hong Kong stock by more than five percent, signalling widespread optimism among investors.

The momentum is rooted in a strategic reset. Alibaba previously had multiple AI apps under different names, which split user attention and diluted its market presence. By redesigning and unifying everything under the Qwen brand, the company created a clear, refreshed identity. The timing also played in its favour, as leading global AI tools like ChatGPT are still not available in China. Users eager for advanced conversational AI quickly turned to Qwen, helping it climb charts overnight.

Market watchers believe this is more than just an app relaunch. Analysts suggest that if Alibaba successfully integrates Qwen across its vast ecosystem, it could meaningfully improve long term enterprise value. With businesses across shopping, health, mobility, travel and local services, the opportunity for AI powered automation and personalised experiences is enormous. Investors are watching closely, viewing Qwen as a potential step toward valuations more commonly associated with global AI leaders.

Looking ahead, Alibaba appears ready to move fast. The company plans to turn Qwen into a full-service AI agent that supports daily tasks and shopping journeys. Upcoming updates are expected to bring deeper integrations with Taobao, maps, food delivery, travel, office productivity, e commerce and wellness. The shift aligns with CEO Eddie Wu’s focus on transforming Alibaba into an AI first organisation where artificial intelligence influences every product and service.

China’s broader AI ecosystem is also heating up. Ant Group recently launched its own assistant, LingGuang, which crossed one million downloads within days. Together, these moves signal a new phase of intense competition and innovation in the country’s consumer AI market.

Alibaba’s early traction with Qwen suggests that its renewed strategy may be paying off, but the larger race is only just beginning.