The future of artificial intelligence will be won through an integrated full-stack approach that delivers tangible value. Speaking at VivaTech 2026 in Paris, Alibaba Group Chairman Joe Tsai shared his conviction in the technology’s long-term trajectory, pointing to a US$50 trillion total addressable market. “AI is producing units of human intelligence and productivity, driving at least half of the world’s hundred trillion-dollar GDP,” Tsai said. “The US$50 trillion-dollar opportunity is the TAM of AI, and that’s why we’re all in.” Capturing this opportunity requires sustained investment at scale. Backed by its core e-commerce engine generating US$25 billion in free cash flow annually, Alibaba pledged in February 2025 to commit over US$53 billion to AI and cloud infrastructure over the next three years. “In the China context, we’re very underinvested in infrastructure and in the AI supply chain. It behooves all companies in China to step up their investment. We’re actually one of the better-positioned companies out there.” Navigating the AI boom requires flexibility. Tsai emphasized that Alibaba’s full-stack strategy, spanning proprietary chips and infrastructure, advanced found