Jack Ma Returns to Alibaba
Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma has resumed an active role at the Chinese tech giant after years out of the public eye, marking his most direct involvement since stepping back in 2019.
Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma has resumed an active role at the Chinese tech giant after years out of the public eye, marking his most direct involvement since stepping back in 2019.
According to people familiar with the matter, Ma has been increasingly visible at Alibaba’s Hangzhou campus, guiding the company’s strategy in artificial intelligence and spearheading aggressive e-commerce competition against rivals JD.com and Meituan.
Jack Ma Plays A Decisive Role In The $7 Billion Subsidy
Jack Ma reportedly played a decisive role in authorizing up to 50 billion yuan ($7 billion) in subsidies to counter JD.com’s market push. He has also demanded regular updates on Alibaba’s AI progress, even contacting senior managers multiple times a day for briefings.
The billionaire entrepreneur largely disappeared from public view in late 2020, after criticizing China’s financial regulators and just before Ant Group’s record IPO was suspended. His return is widely interpreted as a sign of Beijing easing its stance toward the country’s once high-flying tech sector.
Alibaba, which lost nearly $700 billion in market value during the crackdown years, is seeking to regain momentum through heavy investment in cloud computing and AI. The company has pledged more than 380 billion yuan in AI and infrastructure spending over the next three years.
Ma’s Return Has Boosted Employee Morale
Internally, Ma’s comeback has boosted employee morale, reviving a “Make Alibaba Great Again” sentiment across the company. Still, Beijing is said to be wary of the fierce price wars and heavy subsidies that are now back at the center of Alibaba’s strategy.
While Ma holds no official title, his influence remains strong. For employees, his presence signals that Alibaba is ready to fight once again for market leadership.