Alibaba, Ant Group Executives Including Jack Ma Participate in Team-Building Amid AI Strategy Focus

Alibaba (09988.HK, BABA.US) and Ant Group's top executives, including founder Jack Ma, recently participated in a rice planting team-building event in Hangzhou. This activity is widely interpreted as a collective show of confidence in the companies' AI development strategy. The event was reported on Monday, June 22, 2026, with key leaders from both firms engaging in the field activity. Alibaba partner and Amap Chairman Liu Zhenfei documented the event in an internal post titled "Only With Seedlings in Hand Can Future Grain Be Ensured." Photos showed a large contingent including Alibaba CEO Daniel Wu, Jiang Fan, and Ant Group Chairman Eric Jing and CEO Han Xinyi. Sources close to Alibaba suggest the relaxed participation of core management aimed to signal unity, optimism, and firm belief in the company's current development and future AI prospects. Liu Zhenfei's post drew parallels between farming and business, emphasizing diligent effort for future rewards.