Alibaba opens free access to next-generation generative AI models

Reuters

Alibaba is now offering free, open-source access to its latest generative AI models capable of producing highly realistic videos and images from text and image inputs. The move, which sees the company releasing four variants of its Wan 2.1 series, is expected to boost innovation among researchers, a

The open-source models—named T2V-1.3B, T2V-14B, I2V-14B-720P, and I2V-14B-480P—are available for download and modification via Alibaba Cloud’s ModelScope platform and Hugging Face. Notably, the “14B” designation indicates that these models can process 14 billion parameters, highlighting their advanced capabilities in generating highly detailed and lifelike content.

This initiative follows in the footsteps of recent moves by other Chinese tech companies. Last month, DeepSeek made headlines by releasing its R1 reasoning model for free, intensifying the global clamor for more open-source AI technologies. DeepSeek’s commitment to the open-source community, which includes plans to release five new code repositories, has added momentum to the broader trend of accessible AI innovation.

Alibaba’s foray into open-source generative AI comes as part of its long-term commitment to advancing the technology landscape, a journey that began with the emergence of OpenAI’s ChatGPT two years ago. In a related development, Alibaba Group’s Chairman, Joe Tsai, recently announced that the company’s generative AI technology would power AI features for iPhones sold in the Chinese market—an initiative driven by local regulatory requirements that prevent Apple from using its own AI tech in China.

By providing free access to its state-of-the-art models, Alibaba aims to spur creative applications and research breakthroughs across multiple sectors. This bold step not only reinforces the company’s position as a leading innovator in generative AI but also contributes to the growing global ecosystem of open-source AI tools designed to democratize access to advanced digital technologies.

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