Alibaba Shuts Unit To Focus on AI Research
Chinese tech giant Alibaba has shut down its quantum computing unit as part of a restructuring effort, following the abandonment of a cloud business. The company will donate its lab and equipment to Zhejiang University, with up to 30 employees expected to be affected. Alibaba claims that most affected employees may be absorbed by Zhejiang University.
The 30 roles represent only a small portion of its research and development team, and it will focus on emerging technologies like generative artificial intelligence. The decision may be linked to macroeconomic uncertainties caused by the U.S. ban on semiconductor trade with China. This has slowed China’s quantum computing plans as North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia increase investments in the sector.
(With inputs from Shikha Singh)
You need to login in order to Like
