In a revealing discussion on Bloomberg Television, Alibaba Cloud’s founder and Zhejiang Lab Director Wang Jian delves into the future transformations expected in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly how they could diverge from the OpenAI-centered narrative that currently dominates the tech landscape. The conversation, led by Annabelle Droulers, highlights that AI’s journey from a ‘toy problem’ era into a phase of solving real-world challenges exemplifies the technology’s evolution. Wang presents an intriguing analogy comparing AI’s development to a progression from using bicycles to rockets, underscoring how AI enhances humanity’s capabilities. However, he cautiously disrupts conventional narratives around artificial general intelligence (AGI) and artificial superintelligence (ASI), positing that these terms merely underscore an increase in capability, likening them to the continual human development from childhood to adulthood. Dr. Wang’s insights reveal not only his forward-thinking perspective but also a critical stance toward AI’s classification, urging a shift in focus towards innovation that harnesses AI’s potential in varied applications rather than entrenched labels. Addressing the sector’s dynamics in China, he emphasizes the country’s rapid tech cycles, combined with a vibrant, albeit risky, market environment. While China exhibits breakneck innovation in AI, Wang acknowledges potential slowdowns but views collective efforts from different tech stalwarts in the country as a counterbalance to sustain growth. This perspective suggests a robust ecosystem that values collaboration over cutthroat competition, hinting at a marathon-like vision for progress, rather than brief, intense spurts. Reflecting on his tenure with Alibaba, Wang candidly discusses overcoming skepticism towards cloud computing—a now pivotal growth lever for Alibaba. He notes how computing and data amalgamation surpass predicted trajectories, creating modern AI applications that transform business landscapes. Despite initial challenges, his enthusiasm for uncharted territories in technology remains palpable. Finally, in a refreshing critique of Silicon Valley’s trends, Wang questions the unsustainable pursuit of exorbitant talent packages, suggesting instead a focus on undiscovered, innovative talent—available and untapped rather than sought after due to current fame or notoriety—a stance that reiterates his belief in a visionary approach over mere replication of established models.