The news that Alibaba has established the Dharma Institute has recently sparked widespread attention across various industries. Many people have been curious about the purpose behind this new initiative, and Ma Yun, the chairman of Alibaba, provided some insights during the Yunqi Conference.
At the event, Ma Yun admitted that in the early days, Alibaba was not seen as a tech-driven company. He acknowledged his own lack of technical expertise but emphasized that the company has always respected and invested in technology. Over the past 18 years, Alibaba has continuously poured resources into research and development, building a strong foundation for future innovation.
Ma Yun also reflected on how Alibaba's commercial strength often overshadows its technological capabilities. "I agree with Wang Jian’s view," he said, referring to the former Alibaba executive who once noted that people tend to overlook the company's technical power due to its dominance in commerce.
A photo captioned “Ali: Ten years ago, I was trying to live. Now is the future†was shared, symbolizing Alibaba’s evolution from a struggling startup to a global tech leader.
Ma Yun explained that Alibaba didn’t establish a dedicated R&D institute initially because many companies at the time did not prioritize research. However, as the company grew, it became clear that creating an independent research entity was essential. "If we want to be a research institute, it must be an Alibaba Research Institute," he said.
In the first decade, Alibaba focused on survival and profitability, which is why the idea of a research institute wasn’t discussed much. But after ten years, the company realized it needed to think beyond short-term gains.
Regarding the newly launched Dharma Institute, Ma Yun mentioned that while the name might seem unusual at first, it reflects Alibaba’s long-term vision. "We are now 18 years old, and we have the world’s most valuable resources. We must give back to society and the times by using these resources to create value. If we only focus on making money, we won’t be ambitious enough."
Zhang Jianfeng, Alibaba Group’s CTO, officially announced the establishment of the Dharma Institute at the Yunqi Conference, revealing plans to invest 10 billion yuan in technology research over the next three years.
The Dharma Institute’s structure includes three key components: establishing global research labs (already set up in Moscow and Singapore), collaborating with universities worldwide to provide real-world problem-solving opportunities, and launching innovative research programs. So far, Alibaba has partnered with over 200 universities and initiated more than 40 projects.
Ma Yun emphasized that Alibaba’s R&D efforts start with solving real-world problems. When the company was young, he opposed setting up research labs, believing that startups should focus on survival rather than pure research. He argued that many traditional R&D models failed because they were driven by curiosity or profit without addressing actual needs.
Now, with Alibaba’s maturity, the company is ready to take on bigger challenges. "We are not just an e-commerce company; we are a data-driven enterprise," Ma Yun said. The company’s ability to handle massive data sets and support large-scale operations like Double 11 demonstrates its technological strength.
He expressed deep respect for Alibaba’s engineers and stressed that even though he doesn’t understand technology well, he supports it wholeheartedly. "Because I don’t know, I support it more," he said. This mindset led Alibaba to enter cloud computing nine years ago.
Ma Yun believes that the future belongs to companies that solve social problems, not just those that chase profit. "We judge by solving problems, not by predicting the future with yesterday’s ideas," he said.
Alibaba’s mission is to create a better future for the country and the world. "We are not just a commercial company; we have a huge responsibility," he added. The company aims to become a global engine of innovation, influencing all sectors through technology and ideas.
The Dharma Institute, named after a Buddhist concept meaning "the way" or "teaching," is intended to support the fifth-largest economy in the world. Alibaba hopes to make the global economy more inclusive, sustainable, and healthy by solving big problems and creating opportunities for millions.
Ma Yun also emphasized that the lab should not be limited to Alibaba. "It should serve the world and the future," he said. He hopes the Dharma Institute will outlive the company itself, becoming a legacy that continues to drive progress.
Ultimately, Alibaba’s goal is to build a future where technology benefits everyone, not just the company. "If we can’t make technology accessible to more people, we won’t last long," Ma Yun concluded.
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