At the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), Alibaba made headlines with a suite of futuristic AI-powered innovations that blend seamlessly into everyday life. From smart city lighting to intuitive in-car assistants and cutting-edge wearable tech, the company is proving that generative AI is no longer just a buzzword—it’s a lifestyle upgrade.
Key Takeaways:
- Next-gen AI Cockpit: Human-like assistant ‘Yan AI’ now rides shotgun
- Smart City Lighting: Voice-controlled, energy-efficient street lights
- AI Glasses Debut: Real-time translation, payments, and more on your face
- Built on Qwen: Alibaba’s powerful LLM behind every innovation
Alibaba Steals the Spotlight at WAIC 2025
The spotlight was firmly on Alibaba this year at WAIC 2025, as it showcased a powerful lineup of real-world AI applications built on its proprietary Qwen large language models (LLMs). Each new reveal emphasized how AI is transitioning from cloud servers to city streets, dashboards, and even our faces.
Reimagining the Driving Experience with Qwen-Powered Cockpits
In a standout reveal, Alibaba partnered with Qualcomm and Banma Network to unveil an advanced AI cockpit powered by its large multimodal model (LMM). Running on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8397 platform, the system brings “Yan AI“—a highly intuitive virtual assistant—to life inside your car.
Whether you’re navigating traffic, finding a late-night restaurant, or adjusting the A/C, Yan AI handles it conversationally—like a co-pilot who knows your preferences. It’s not just smart driving; it’s driving with emotional intelligence.
Smarter Streets with AI Lighting Systems
Qwen’s reach extends into city infrastructure too.
Signify, a global lighting leader, launched the first generative AI-powered lighting assistant using Qwen to transform city management.
With this, urban operators can now issue natural-language commands to control lighting systems, optimize energy usage, and even predict when maintenance is needed.
It’s AI making cities greener, smarter, and way more efficient.
Alibaba Steps into the Wearables Race
And perhaps the biggest buzz? Alibaba’s debut of Quark AI Glasses—its first AI-powered eyewear. These sleek smart glasses offer real-time translation, hands-free calling, music streaming, and even live meeting transcription.
Integrated with Alibaba’s ecosystem, users can check prices on Taobao, make payments with Alipay, or get live travel alerts—all through voice.
Expected to hit the Chinese market by year-end, these glasses hint at a future where you’re never out of sync with the digital world.
Why It Matters
Alibaba’s bold play at WAIC 2025 marks a turning point: AI is no longer locked in labs or limited to apps. It’s becoming a deeply integrated part of how we live, move, and communicate—quietly working behind the scenes to make life smarter and smoother