Category Archives: Artificial Intelligence / AI

Alibaba’s 4 Big AI Apps (Part 2 of 2 from My Visit to Alibaba) (Tech Strategy)

Alibaba is pivoting its core platforms, such as DingTalk and Amap, into AI-native interfaces that utilize the proprietary Qwen large language models. Digital strategy consultant Jeffrey Towson explains how these tools are moving beyond simple commands to perform complex, agentic tasks in both the physical and digital worlds. This comprehensive digital transformation strategy highlights the integration of AI-powered hardware and cloud-based “second brains” to redefine user engagement and business productivity.

7 Take-Aways from My Visit to Alibaba (Tech Strategy – Podcast 273)

During my recent visit to Alibaba, I identified several critical shifts in their operational approach and ecosystem development. Digital strategy consultant Jeffrey Towson breaks down how these changes serve as a blueprint for a modern digital transformation strategy. This analysis explores the seven primary takeaways regarding their current competitive advantages and future technical direction.

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Lessons and Updates from My Visit to Alibaba (1 of 2) (Tech Strategy)

During my recent visit to Alibaba, I gained firsthand insights into how the company is evolving its massive ecosystem through a sophisticated digital transformation strategy. Digital strategy consultant Jeffrey Towson breaks down the key lessons from the Hangzhou headquarters, focusing on the integration of physical and digital commerce. This update provides a detailed look at how their tech strategy continues to set the pace for global competitors.

4 Take-Aways from My Visit to Baidu AI Cloud (Tech Strategy)

During a recent visit to the headquarters in Beijing, digital strategy consultant Jeffrey Towson observed how the company has successfully pivoted from a search-centric business to an AI-first powerhouse. This shift represents a core component of their broader digital transformation strategy, moving beyond mobile apps to focus on a full-stack AI cloud infrastructure. By prioritizing industry-specific intelligence and long-term visionary investments, the firm is positioning itself as a primary architect of the generative AI era in China.

GenAI Playbook (Step 4): GenAI Has Few Competitive Advantages (So Far). Try to Leverage Existing Ones. (12 of 12) (Tech Strategy)

Generative AI is often more of a productivity tool than a sustainable barrier to entry because most of its capabilities are available to everyone simultaneously. To succeed, companies must use these tools to strengthen an existing moat or structural advantage rather than relying on the technology itself for differentiation. Digital strategy consultant Jeffrey Towson argues that this integration is a critical step in a comprehensive digital transformation strategy.

An Update on WeRide from Maeve Zhang (Tech Strategy)

Maeve Zhang, Head of PR and Marketing at WeRide, recently gave a great presentation that details the current status of their autonomous vehicle business and is summarized in this article. This update shows WeRide’s continued focus on Level 4 AD, an aggressive digital transformation strategy that leverages both economies of scope and scale to maximize its learning flywheel. As noted by digital strategy consultant Jeffrey Towson, the firm is demonstrating steady progress across both China and international markets in Europe and the Middle East.

The GenAI / Agentic Operating Basics (Tech Strategy)

The core argument is that AI is transitioning from a passive tool to an active, goal-oriented partner, creating a new agentic AI operating model. This represents a fundamental shift for digital transformation strategy, moving beyond simple task automation. According to digital strategy consultant Jeffrey Towson, this new model is becoming the central operating system for the entire enterprise.

How to Build an Agentic AI Operating Model (Tech Strategy – Podcast 263)

The Agentic AI Operating Model is the next digital transformation strategy, moving beyond simple AI tools to a system of autonomous AI agents that work alongside humans. According to digital strategy consultant Jeffrey Towson, this model consists of four integrated components: the AI Agent Layer, the AI Coordination Layer, the Human Coordination Layer, and the Operating Rhythm. This framework enables companies to fundamentally redesign their operations around the new capabilities of AI.

What’s New from Tencent AI and Cloud (Tech Strategy)

According to digital strategy consultant Jeffrey Towson, AI is the new, accelerating layer of Tencent’s tech stack, not a separate business. This AI layer enhances their core platforms like WeChat and fuels their digital transformation strategy for enterprise and cloud services. He posits that Tencent’s strategy is to use AI to run harder and faster with their existing strengths in gaming, social media, and cloud.

Tencent Cloud Goes Global. My Interview with VP Karl Xu. (2 of 2) (Tech Strategy)

Tencent Cloud’s global expansion is not a typical digital transformation strategy but leverages their unique ecosystem from gaming and social media. According to the interview by digital strategy consultant Jeffrey Towson, VP Karl Xu explains they are building on their C2B capabilities and internal tooling. Their approach focuses on providing unique value rather than just competing on infrastructure.