Alibaba launches Qwen3.8-Max 'most capable' AI model for coding and research, calls it 'a new bar for coding and cowork'; open-weight version due next week
Alibaba

Alibaba launches Qwen3.8-Max 'most capable' AI model for coding and research, calls it 'a new bar for coding and cowork'; open-weight version due next week

Alibaba has launched its most advanced AI model, Qwen 3.8-Max, featuring 2.4 trillion parameters, positioning it as a leader in the AI race. The model, which excels in coding and research, will have an open-weight version available next week, according to the company.

ThePrint3 August 2026 · 17:21 UTC
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Alibaba's Qwen 3.8-Max, launched on Monday, is touted as the company's most capable AI model, featuring 2.4 trillion parameters. This model is designed to enhance coding and research capabilities, setting a new standard in the AI landscape.

In a post on X, Alibaba stated it represents “a new bar for coding and cowork”, with an open-weight version expected next week, allowing developers to modify the model's trained parameters.23

The Qwen 3.8-Max model is built on the architecture of its predecessor, Qwen 3.5, and is said to perform on par with or better than Anthropic’s Fable 5 during tests. It supports a context window of up to 1 million tokens, enabling it to process up to 750,000 words per query.

Alibaba highlighted the model's ability to handle complex tasks, such as “designing chips nonstop for 12 hours” and “verifying protein sources”, while users engage in leisure activities. The company also noted that Qwen 3.8-Max can execute “real visual production tasks”, including creating vlogs from personal footage and developing interactive games from simple prompts.

Following the announcement, Alibaba's shares in Hong Kong surged by 7 percent, reflecting investor optimism about the new AI capabilities.

Key Insight
“Soon after Alibaba released the new model, its Hong Kong-listed shares climbed 7 per cent, according to CNBC. The open-weight version will allow developers to download the model's trained parameters and modify them as required.”
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New Delhi: Alibaba on Monday released its “most capable” artificial intelligence model Qwen 3.8-Max, with 2.4 trillion parameters, heating up the AI race between China and the US.”
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