Sources: Alibaba names senior AI researcher Dayiheng Liu as the head of its Qwen project, bringing clarity after multiple reorganization rounds earlier in 2026

Alibaba's core AI models become more focused as the Qwen project gains a permanent leader and a new image generation tool emerges.

Alibaba has appointed Dayiheng Liu, a senior AI researcher, to lead its Qwen project. This appointment brings a new level of clarity to the AI initiative, which has undergone several reorganizations in early 2026. The Qwen organization recently previewed its Qwen Image 2.1 model on September 20th. This advanced model is designed for image generation and controlled editing using multiple reference images. During a demonstration, Qwen Image 2.1 showcased its ability to generate a six-panel storyboard from front, side, and back views of a character, maintaining her clothing and overall appearance across various settings. Alibaba also identified Eddie Wu, a co-founder, as the company's technology director since its inception in 1999.

The appointment of Dayiheng Liu to lead Alibaba's Qwen project signifies a strategic consolidation of its AI efforts. This move is particularly notable given the recent rounds of reorganization, suggesting an effort to streamline operations and accelerate development in the competitive AI landscape. The preview of Qwen Image 2.1 further underscores Alibaba's commitment to advancing its generative AI capabilities, aiming to compete with established players in the field of multi-image editing and consistent character generation.

This development positions Alibaba to better leverage its AI research for commercial applications, potentially impacting how businesses approach content creation and digital asset management. The integration of advanced image generation and editing tools could provide a competitive edge, influencing market expectations for AI-powered creative solutions. Future developments will likely focus on the broader integration of these models into Alibaba's ecosystem and their performance against leading industry benchmarks.