Alibaba replaces DingTalk chief as AI strategy clash hits shares

Alibaba Group Holding replaced DingTalk chief executive and co-creator Chen Hang with technologist Chen Yusen after an internal dispute over how the workplace app fits into the company’s wider AI strategy. Staff were told of the change in an internal memo, and Alibaba shares dropped as much as 5.9% in Hong Kong on Thursday. DingTalk, known in Chinese as Dingding, is central to Alibaba’s attempt to build AI tools for office users after ChatGPT reshaped the sector. The leadership change followed criticism that the division’s AI rollout lacked focus and came after a former employee posted about burnout on an internal forum, prompting a rare internal rebuke from Alibaba’s top leadership.