Current investor sentiment has shifted from enthusiasm for AI catalysts to the need for tangible returns and infrastructure efficiency
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenWency Chenin HangzhouPublished: 5:30pm, 24 Sep 2026The artificial intelligence road map presented at its flagship Apsara Conference this week showcased a pragmatic pivot by Chinese tech giant Alibaba Group Holding, offering a clearer path to monetisation despite a sharp escalation in capital expenditure, analysts said.
The conference, which ran from Tuesday to Thursday under the theme “Intelligence goes beyond”, highlighted “Alibaba’s disciplined execution across its full-stack AI ecosystem”, said Cathy Chan, an analyst at CCB International.
She pointed out that current investor sentiment had shifted from last year’s enthusiasm for AI catalysts to the need for tangible returns and infrastructure efficiency.
