TECH

Alibaba Opens Qwen Platform to Outside Developers in Push to Build AI-Agent Ecosystem

Published: Aug. 11, 2026 12:25 a.m. GMT+8

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Alibaba on Aug. 10 launched the Qianwen Open Platform, giving ecosystem partners and developers access to service integration across smartphones, PCs and AI glasses. Photo: VCG

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. on Monday launched an open platform for its artificial intelligence model Qwen, allowing third-party developers to build custom AI agents across mobile phones, personal computers and smart glasses.

The launch marks a significant step in Alibaba’s effort to build a broader ecosystem around its large language model, positioning Qwen as an all-in-one application designed to carry out complex real-world tasks.

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Explore the story in 30 seconds

Alibaba launched Qwen open platform for custom AI agents across mobile, PC, and smart glasses.
Partners include SF Express, Ziroom, and Midea; platform offers standardized protocols for developers.
Qwen integrated into Apple Intelligence for China users, but Apple removed the support document.

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Who’s Who

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What Happened When

January 2026：: Wu Jia, Alibaba vice president, stated that standalone AI apps would eventually evolve into comprehensive, all-in-one platforms.

July 15, 2026：: Seven mobile generative-AI services, including Apple Intelligence, completed filings with the Cyberspace Administration of China; Qwen was to be integrated into Apple Intelligence for users in China.

August 8, 2026：: Apple briefly posted a support document explaining how Mac computers could work with Qwen, stating Siri could route requests to the Chinese model.