In a significant internal address, Alibaba Group CEO Wu Yongming urged employees to refocus on the company’s core values of innovation, customer-centricity, and creation over preservation, emphasizing that these principles are more vital than ever as the tech giant navigates the transformative age of artificial intelligence (AI).
The remarks came during a recent internal forum attended by senior leadership and team members across various Alibaba business units. Wu’s message reflected both a strategic recalibration and a cultural reminder at a time when the company—and the broader tech industry—faces challenges ranging from slowing growth in traditional sectors to fierce competition in emerging technologies like generative AI.
A Cultural Reset for the Future
Wu Yongming, who took the reins as CEO of Alibaba Group in 2023, spoke candidly about the company’s need to “return to first principles”—putting innovation, agility, and long-term customer value ahead of bureaucratic expansion and risk aversion.
He emphasized that in today’s fast-evolving AI landscape, companies must avoid becoming overly focused on maintaining existing systems or structures and instead must channel energy into new value creation.
“Creation must come before preservation,” Wu said, echoing one of Alibaba’s founding philosophies. “Only when we dare to innovate continuously can we ensure that we are not left behind in the era of AI.”
This rallying cry was not only philosophical but also practical. Alibaba has recently undergone major organizational restructuring, splitting into multiple independently governed units such as Alibaba Cloud, Taobao Tmall Commerce, Cainiao Logistics, and others. Wu’s message was aimed at uniting these semi-autonomous teams under a shared cultural compass.
AI: A Defining Frontier
Wu acknowledged that AI is the next major battleground for global tech companies, and Alibaba must be proactive, not reactive. The company has already made significant strides with its Tongyi Qianwen large language model and integrated AI into products across e-commerce, logistics, and cloud services.
However, Wu emphasized that merely adopting AI tools isn’t enough. He encouraged teams to think about how AI can help Alibaba’s users—particularly small businesses—create new forms of value, whether through smarter customer service, predictive inventory, or personalized online experiences.
Internal Alignment Amid External Pressure
Wu’s comments also come as Alibaba faces rising competition from domestic players like Pinduoduo and ByteDance, as well as regulatory scrutiny and economic headwinds in China. Amid these pressures, the CEO’s speech serves as both a motivational charge and a strategic anchor to ensure the company remains resilient and forward-looking.
By reinforcing Alibaba’s identity as a creator-first enterprise, Wu aims to empower teams to act boldly and pursue meaningful innovation—even if it means taking calculated risks.
Conclusion
In an era defined by rapid AI advancement and shifting market dynamics, Wu Yongming’s call to return to Alibaba’s entrepreneurial roots is both timely and strategic. By placing creation over preservation and embracing the AI revolution with purpose, Alibaba aims to reaffirm its leadership in global tech—not just through scale, but through vision and values.
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