# Investors have grown wary of sky-high AI research and development costs and slowing consumer spending in China.

*business · news · 2026-04-06 · Barchart*

## Key points

- Alibaba launched Qwen 3.6-Plus, an agentic AI model capable of autonomous multistep tasks.
- Alibaba integrated AI into core products, including rebranding Ele.me as Taobao Instant Commerce within the Qwen app.
- Alibaba's net income fell 66% year-over-year due to heavy investment in AI, promotions, and technology.
- Qwen app surpassed 300 million monthly users, highlighting rapid adoption of Alibaba's AI-powered services.
- Analysts expect Alibaba's reinvestment phase to last through fiscal 2026, delaying profit recovery until 2027.

**Companies:** Alibaba
**Countries:** China

[Read the full story on Barchart](https://www.barchart.com/story/news/1161762/alibaba-just-revealed-its-new-agentic-ai-model-should-you-buy-sell-or-hold-baba-stock-now)

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