Just Launched: Alibaba Qianwen App Opens Public Beta, Aiming to Be China’s ChatGPT | With Hands-On Test
Alibaba Launches Qianwen APP — A New AI Assistant in Public Beta
A few days ago, Alibaba’s “Qianwen Project” was leaked, revealing plans to build a personal AI assistant — Qianwen APP — based on Qwen3, one of the globally top-performing open-source AI models.
And now, the wait is over:
Alibaba has officially launched the public beta of Qianwen APP.
Beyond being chat-smart, the company says “being able to get things done” will be a major future direction for the app.
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Quick Comparison: Qianwen APP vs ChatGPT
We tested Qianwen APP against ChatGPT using a small set of tasks to gauge the newcomer’s strengths.
Task 1: Logic Puzzle
> “There are three lights inside the house and three switches outside, each controlling one lamp. You cannot see inside the house. How can you figure out which switch controls which lamp by entering the room only once?”
Both Qianwen and ChatGPT gave the correct solution — using temperature differences of bulbs:
- Turn on the first switch and leave it on for a few minutes.
- Turn it off, turn on the second switch, and immediately enter the room.
- Identify bulbs based on whether they are on, off but warm, or off and cold.
📊 Result: Tie — both provided accurate reasoning, though Qianwen’s answer was more detailed.
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Task 2: Food Safety Explanation
Prompt: Explain why raw and cooked food must be prepared on different cutting boards and with different knives.
- ChatGPT (GPT-5.1 Auto): Provided a concise, factually correct answer about cross-contamination and bacterial spread — but lacked depth.
- Qianwen: Went further — it searched and cited 14 authoritative sources, added relevant images, and linked articles, making the content rich, traceable, and visually supported.
📊 Result: Clear win for Qianwen.
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Task 3: Hardcore Coding Challenge
Prompt: Create a single HTML file functioning as a Game Boy emulator, supporting classics like Tetris, Pokémon, and Zelda, with touch + keyboard controls.
▲ Left: Qianwen | Right: ChatGPT
- Qianwen: Produced a more polished Game Boy aesthetic layout.
- ChatGPT: Generated a simpler interface; Tetris ran but with only one movable block and incomplete gameplay features.
⚠ Note: Implementing a full Game Boy emulator in a single HTML file is extremely challenging — neither achieved perfection.
📊 Result: Tie — each excelled in different aspects.
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Market Position & Strategic Context
- ChatGPT — Global AI synonym, monetizes via subscriptions & APIs.
- Doubao / Yuanbao — Domestic AI assistants leveraging massive app ecosystems (Douyin & WeChat).
- Qianwen — Lacks a “natural traffic pool” and must build appeal through differentiated product experiences.
Domestic vs Overseas AI Strategies
- Overseas: Independent AI apps, revenue from paid users & APIs.
- Domestic: Ecosystem-driven — AI integrated into e-commerce, social platforms, and content creation.
Alibaba could position Qianwen for:
- AI + E-Commerce (e.g., Taobao integration)
- AI + Social
- AI + Content Creation
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Opportunity & Risks
- Strengths: Qwen model is top-ranked globally in downloads and technical performance.
- Weaknesses: Consumer awareness and brand loyalty for AI tools remain low; performance matters more than brand identity.
- Threat: Narrow window to gain traction; hesitation now could make later growth harder.
- Opportunity:
- Lower cost than ChatGPT
- Reduced usage barriers
- Strong multilingual support
If executed well, Qianwen could carve out a global niche.
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Beyond the App: AI as Creative Infrastructure
Platforms like AiToEarn官网 show how AI can be monetized globally:
- Generates open-source AI content
- Publishes cross-platform (Douyin, Kwai, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc.)
- Enables creators to produce, publish, and earn seamlessly
Such tools can complement AI assistants like Qianwen — boosting both everyday user creativity and professional content production potential.
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Bottom Line
The launch of Qianwen APP marks Alibaba’s entry into the “second half” of the AI game — taking AI from the enterprise world into daily consumer life.
For users worldwide, more capable players in the AI arena mean better, more diverse choices — a win for innovation and accessibility.
