For years, the AI industry was dominated by Western tech giants like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft. If you wanted access to the most powerful AI models, you either had to pay a premium or rely on whatever limited open-source alternatives were available. But in the past year, China has emerged as a serious contender, with Alibaba’s Qwen 2.5-Max and DeepSeek’s AI models challenging OpenAI’s dominance.
With three major players now in the spotlight—OpenAI, Alibaba, and DeepSeek—the big question is: Who will have the biggest impact?
Alibaba’s Qwen 2.5-Max: The Biggest Game-Changer?
1. Open-Source Availability: AI for Everyone, Not Just Big Tech
Unlike OpenAI and DeepSeek, which still maintain some level of exclusivity, Alibaba has taken a bold approach—releasing over 100 models from the Qwen 2.5 family as open-source.
This move is significant because:
- It allows smaller businesses, researchers, and developers to build AI-powered applications without massive budgets
- It accelerates global AI innovation, reducing reliance on Western AI monopolies
- It levels the playing field, as anyone can access and customize Qwen’s models
Meanwhile, OpenAI’s GPT-4 and GPT-4o remain closed-source, limiting their accessibility. DeepSeek has released open-source models, but their reach is still largely within China and research communities.
If Alibaba continues to expand its open-source offerings, it could fundamentally shift the AI industry, much like how Linux transformed software development.
2. Performance vs. Cost: Who’s Winning the AI Benchmark Battle?
Performance benchmarks suggest that Qwen 2.5-Max is outperforming both DeepSeek-V3 and OpenAI’s GPT-4 in various AI tasks—from handling complex queries to multilingual processing.
But cost-effectiveness matters just as much as raw power. DeepSeek’s AI models are designed to be highly efficient, making them cheaper to run. This could attract businesses looking for powerful AI solutions without excessive computational costs.
OpenAI remains the leader in brand recognition and market presence, but its pricing model remains a concern for many. If Alibaba or DeepSeek can offer similar capabilities at a lower price point, OpenAI may need to rethink its strategy.
3. Multilingual AI: Qwen 2.5-Max Breaks Language Barriers
Most AI models are English-centric, which limits accessibility for non-English speakers.
- Qwen 2.5-Max supports 29 languages, making it one of the most globally accessible AI models.
- DeepSeek’s reach outside China is still uncertain, though it has strong backing domestically.
- OpenAI’s ChatGPT is still largely optimized for English, with limited performance improvements in non-English languages.
For businesses and governments in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, Alibaba’s multilingual AI could be a game-changer. The more localized an AI model is, the more valuable it becomes for regional markets.
4. Enterprise Adoption: Who’s Getting Integrated Faster?
It’s one thing to build a powerful AI model—it’s another thing to get real businesses to use it.
Alibaba’s Qwen AI models are already being adopted in industries like:
- Automotive (for AI-powered driving assistants)
- Banking (for financial analysis and chatbots)
- Retail (for customer service and product recommendations)
DeepSeek, while innovative, lacks major enterprise partnerships outside research institutions. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s models are widely used in Western markets, but its expansion into Asia and emerging economies remains slower compared to Alibaba.
If Alibaba can secure more industry adoption, it could become the go-to AI provider in non-Western markets.
5. Competitive Pressure on OpenAI: A Wake-Up Call?
For the longest time, OpenAI had no real competition. But with Qwen and DeepSeek gaining traction, the AI race has become a lot more unpredictable.
- OpenAI is now rushing to release GPT-4.5 or “O3” sooner than expected, likely in response to competition.
- If OpenAI doesn’t adjust its pricing, accessibility, or model capabilities, it risks losing users to cheaper and more open alternatives.
This is a critical moment for OpenAI—does it continue with a closed, premium AI model, or does it shift towards more affordability and openness?
Final Verdict: Who Will Have the Biggest Impact?
Biggest Short-Term Impact → Alibaba’s Qwen 2.5-Max
Why? Open-source availability, multilingual AI, and real enterprise adoption make it the most widely accessible AI model right now.
Biggest Long-Term Disruptor → DeepSeek
Why? Its cost-effective, research-driven approach makes it a dark horse in this race. If it expands globally, it could seriously challenge OpenAI and Alibaba.
Most Stable Market Leader → OpenAI
Why? It still holds the largest brand recognition, but will need to adapt quickly to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving AI landscape.
What’s Next?
- Will OpenAI lower its pricing to compete with Alibaba and DeepSeek?
- Can DeepSeek expand beyond China and into global markets?
- Will Alibaba continue its open-source strategy, or will it tighten access in the future?
No matter what happens, one thing is clear: The AI market is no longer dominated by just one company. And that’s good news for everyone.
Dr. Mazlan Abbas 