Jack Ma Highlights AI Potential in Rare Public Speech as Alibaba Shares Surge

The Alibaba co-founder reemerges to discuss AI's transformative future while Chinese stimulus plans boost market confidence.

Jack Ma made a rare public appearance at Ant Group's 20th anniversary, his first reported speech since March 2023.
Ma predicted that artificial intelligence will drive unprecedented changes over the next two decades, surpassing the impact of the internet era.
Alibaba's U.S.-traded shares rose nearly 9% on Monday following Ma's speech and China's announcement of expanded stimulus spending for 2025.
Ant Group, a fintech affiliate of Alibaba, announced Cyril Han as its new CEO, effective March 1, 2025, as part of its ongoing restructuring efforts.
Ma's return to the public eye comes after years of regulatory scrutiny that curtailed Ant Group's IPO and reshaped China's tech sector.