Lin Junyang resigned as head of Alibaba's Qwen artificial intelligence model division on March 4. This departure marks the third high-profile exit from the Qwen AI team in 2026. The announcement followed the release of updated models just two days prior. The Qwen app recently reported a massive surge in monthly active users.
Alibaba shares fell as much as 5.3% in Hong Kong trading. The stock underperformed the broader market following the loss of a key AI strategy architect. This leadership change raises concerns regarding the stability and direction of Alibaba's primary growth initiatives.
The resignation adds to existing pressures from US regulatory scrutiny and geopolitical tensions. Investors remain focused on the impact of these departures on the company's long-term AI development.