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Tencent hires WizardLM team, a Microsoft AI group with an odd history
Tencent has hired the WizardLM team, previously at Microsoft, to bolster its AI development under Hunyuan. The group, known for its controversial AI releases, aims to continue their work by developing AI models that compete against notable rivals. Tencent's investment in AI led to significant growth, indicating a strong commitment to advancing its capabilities in the tech space.
Key points
- WizardLM joined Tencent's Hunyuan AI division after departing Microsoft.
- They released Hunyuan-TurboS0416, claiming it outperforms Google's AI models.
- The team previously faced controversy when Microsoft retracted their WizardLM-2 models over toxicity testing issues.
- Despite the setbacks, the team seems poised to continue its AI development at Tencent.
- Tencent attributes an 8% Q1 2025 growth to its investments in AI, planning to spend 90 billion yuan in total.
Why it matters
- The hiring highlights trends in tech consolidation via talent acquisitions as companies ramp up AI advancements.
- Historically, Microsoft faced backlash over model releases, reflecting ongoing concerns about AI ethics and safety.
- In 2025, companies like Tencent are increasingly investing heavily in AI, indicative of broader market strategies where AI is central to growth.
The acquisition of WizardLM by Tencent emphasizes the competitive landscape of AI development, revealing both challenges and opportunities in advancing technology while highlighting the importance of ethical considerations in AI releases.