Alibaba has replaced DingTalk chief executive Chen Hang with technologist Chen Yusen.

The move followed an internal debate over the workplace app’s role in the company’s broader AI strategy, according to people familiar with the matter.

Staff were informed of the change in an internal memo, and Alibaba shares fell by as much as 5.9% on June 11 in Hong Kong.

DingTalk, known as Dingding in Chinese, is Alibaba’s workplace software platform for businesses and other organizations.

DingTalk’s rollout of AI features under Chen Hang had drawn criticism for lacking focus, according to people familiar with the matter.

Scrutiny increased after a recently departed employee posted about burnout on an internal forum. Alibaba leadership then sent a separate memo rebuking DingTalk management’s style, they said.

Alibaba’s recent public AI updates have focused on its Qwen models and cloud services rather than DingTalk. The company said AI-related cloud products posted triple-digit growth for 10 straight quarters and made up 30% of external cloud revenue.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg

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