01.AI, one of China’s leading AI unicorn startups, has been rumored to be disbanded, with its pre-training and card teams reportedly sold to Alibaba. In response, 01.AI founder and CEO Kai-Fu Lee addressed the rumors on his social media, clarifying that the company’s confirmed revenue in 2024 surpassed RMB 100 million ($14 million), and it is expected to grow several times over in 2025. He also rejected the rumors, stating they were completely false. According to Chinese media outlet 36Kr, in mid-December 2024, 01.AI laid off its entire pre-training algorithm and Infra teams, including its team in Silicon Valley. By the end of December 2024, the pre-training algorithm team received offers from Tongyi Team, and the Infra team received offers from Alibaba Cloud. Currently, Alibaba is integrating the 01.AI teams by offering them job positions, rather than acquiring the company. [36Kr, in Chinese]
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