Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to stand at the forefront of innovation, driving scientific breakthroughs that bring transformative changes to both society and the environment. As we enter 2025, the urgency to address global challenges has reached an unprecedented level. From rising climate threats and widening social inequalities to healthcare demands and food security concerns, we are facing mounting challenges that require innovative, scalable solutions.
AI, with its ability to analyze vast amounts of data and optimize processes, is uniquely positioned to tackle these pressing issues and create lasting benefits for the society.
Over the past year, AI’s potential to tackle global challenges has become increasingly promising as well, from revolutionizing healthcare and agriculture to advancing renewable energy and education. Alibaba Cloud, as a global technology leader, remains steadfast in its commitment to leveraging AI for social good, pushing the boundaries of what is possible to address some of humanity’s most pressing needs.
“Our mission at Alibaba is not only to explore the frontiers of AI but to ensure its capabilities are harnessed for the greater good. As we navigate the complex challenges of 2025, from intensifying climate risks to the growing demand for equitable access to healthcare and education, we are dedicated to leveraging AI to drive meaningful societal changes. By setting a benchmark for how AI can be a transformative force for positive change, we hope to work with different parties to create a more sustainable, accessible, and inclusive future, ” said Jingren Zhou, Chief Technology Officer of Alibaba Cloud.
Here is a recap of some of Alibaba’s key AI-driven initiatives aimed at advancing social good:
1. Enhancing Weather Forecasting and Optimizing Energy Production
Recent extreme weather conditions, including devastating floods in Spain, landslides in Nepal, and tropical storms affecting millions in the Philippines, underscore the existential threat posed by climate change. In response, Alibaba developed Baguan, an advanced AI-powered weather forecasting model designed to deliver accurate predictions.
Baguan offers hourly updates with a high spatial resolution of one-kilometer grids, enabling industries to prepare for unpredictable weather conditions for 10 days in advance. Its precision has far-reaching applications, particularly in renewable energy, where accurate weather forecasts are critical for optimizing energy production and improving power grid management. By contributing to stable and efficient energy distribution, the AI weather forecasting model aims to help mitigate environmental impacts and reduce costs.
2. Making Cancer Diagnosis Faster and More Cost-Effective
Alibaba received recognition this year on Fortune’s Change the World list for its groundbreaking AI tool, PANDA, which revolutionizes cancer diagnosis. PANDA is designed to detect early signs of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma —a deadly cancer responsible for nearly half a million deaths annually – faster and more cost-effective, making cancer screening more accessible.
Deployed in two hospitals in Zhejiang province, PANDA has demonstrated remarkable sensitivity, identifying abnormalities with 34.1% greater accuracy than radiologists. Since its launch in 2023, PANDA’s applications have expanded to detect other cancers, including liver, esophageal, and colon tumors. This innovation reduces diagnostic costs and accelerates early detection, underscoring the potential of AI in advancing medical diagnosis.
3. Uncovering Resources for Smart Crop Breeding
In collaboration with Zhejiang University and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Alibaba has pioneered research that utilizes AI to accelerate crop improvement. Published in Cell Research, a prestigious journal under the Nature portfolio, the study highlights how DNA methylation data can improve crop breeding techniques.
By analyzing high-quality methylomes, transcriptomes, and genomes from crop fibers, the study uncovered over 287 million single methylation polymorphisms (SMPs)—the largest dataset of its kind. Additionally, researchers identified 43 genes related to fiber development, providing invaluable resources for future breeding initiatives. This breakthrough paves the way for smarter, more sustainable agricultural practices.
4. Sparking Breakthrough in RNA Virus Discovery
With Sun Yat-sen University and The University of Sydney, Alibaba Cloud co-authored a groundbreaking study published in Cell. The research introduced LucaProt, an AI-powered deep-learning algorithm designed to detect RNA viruses, which are responsible for numerous diseases and pose significant public health challenges.
By analyzing protein sequences and structural features, LucaProt facilitated the discovery of 160,000 potential RNA virus species and 180 RNA virus supergroups—the largest virus discovery dataset ever published. This advancement not only deepens our understanding of viral evolution but also equips healthcare professionals with a powerful tool for combating infectious diseases.
5. Creating Personalized Picture Books for Children with Autism
Alibaba has developed an AI-powered tool to create personalized picture books for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), offering them a creative platform to express themselves and interact with the world. According to the World Health Organization, ASD affects approximately one in 100 children globally, making innovative educational resources critical.
Harnessing the multimodal capabilities of LLMs developed by Alibaba Cloud, the AI transforms one-sentence plot summaries into engaging picture books with vivid graphics, audio narration, and accompanying text. In addition, Alibaba Cloud leveraged its multi-agent framework ModelScope Agent to orchestrate these LLMs and AI tools to perform tasks autonomously with minimal human intervention. Since its launch in June, the tool has been used for nearly 200,000 times, empowering tens of thousands of families and educators in China to create tailored learning materials for children with special needs.
