Introduction
In a significant move within the artificial intelligence (AI) space, the WizardLM team—previously part of Microsoft Research Asia—has officially joined Tencent’s Hunyuan division. This transition underscores the rapidly evolving dynamics of the AI race, particularly among major players in China and the West.
WizardLM’s Origin and Microsoft Era
WizardLM began as a cutting-edge AI research unit under Microsoft, gaining attention in April 2024 with the launch of the WizardLM-2 model family. These models were presented as strong competitors to OpenAI’s GPT-4. However, despite initial excitement, Microsoft pulled the models from public access just one day after launch due to missing toxicity testing—a critical component in responsible AI deployment.
This unexpected retraction sparked both curiosity and concern in the AI community, especially given the promising performance WizardLM-2 had demonstrated.
The Sudden Shift to Tencent’s Hunyuan
On May 13, 2025, Can Xu, a prominent senior AI researcher formerly at Microsoft, confirmed via X (formerly Twitter) that he and the core WizardLM team had moved to Tencent‘s Hunyuan, an AI research unit under the Chinese tech conglomerate.
Hunyuan has gained momentum in recent months by releasing advanced models for 3D object generation and AI-generated videos—technologies crucial to gaming, e-commerce, and digital marketing.
This strategic talent acquisition signals Tencent’s intent to compete more aggressively in the global AI arms race.
Hunyuan-TurboS 0416: A New Chapter
Soon after the team’s move, a new model under the Hunyuan brand—Hunyuan-TurboS 0416—was released. According to Qingfeng Sun, a self-identified co-founder of WizardLM, this model outperforms open-source competitors like Google’s Gemma 3 series.
While benchmarking specifics are sparse, such claims—if validated—could place Tencent’s offerings at the forefront of open AI development in Asia.
The Controversy: Microsoft’s Model Takedown
The abrupt removal of WizardLM-2 from public repositories created a stir. The team cited a missed toxicity test as the reason, stating:
“We accidentally missed an item required in the model release process — toxicity testing. We are currently completing this test quickly and will re-release our model as soon as possible.” — WizardLM Team, April 16, 2024
Unfortunately for Microsoft, the deletion didn’t prevent users from circulating copies of the model across the web, leading to unauthorized fine-tuned variants spreading quickly.
Community Backlash and the Hugging Face Fallout
The takedown had unintended ripple effects. Hugging Face, a major open-source platform for AI models, saw key open-source projects disrupted. Clément Delangue, CEO of Hugging Face, shared his disappointment publicly:
“The WizardLM models were collectively downloaded over a hundred thousand times a month… We’re trying to resolve this with Microsoft and the authors.” — Clément Delangue
This incident revealed a critical vulnerability in relying on centralized control of decentralized innovation—a recurring theme in the AI world.
Tencent’s Bigger AI Ambitions
Tencent isn’t just acquiring talent—it’s investing heavily in infrastructure. The company reported an 8% year-over-year revenue growth in Q1 2025, largely fueled by AI advancements. With plans to invest over ¥90 billion CNY (~$12.49 billion USD) into capital expenditures this year, Tencent is betting big on becoming an AI leader.
This includes creating new subdivisions within Hunyuan and expanding their compute capacity—likely in anticipation of scaling model training and deployment.
How This Shift Impacts the AI Landscape
The WizardLM move echoes a broader trend: talent migration from Western to Chinese tech firms. It also highlights how companies like Tencent are closing the gap with U.S. AI giants like Google, Meta, and OpenAI—not just in model performance but also in talent acquisition and infrastructure investment.
For the AI community, especially startups and businesses relying on open models, this may signal both opportunity and risk.
What It Means for Tech Leaders and Businesses
Entrepreneurs and marketers must recognize this shift as more than just a corporate reshuffle. With new AI models like Hunyuan-TurboS 0416 entering the scene, tools for automation, content generation, and customer interaction are evolving rapidly.
At Trenzest, we believe staying informed about these developments is critical. Whether you’re optimizing marketing pipelines or building smart applications, understanding how these models work—and where they’re headed—gives you a competitive edge.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
WizardLM’s transition to Tencent signals a reshaping of global AI dynamics. With significant funding, top-tier talent, and aggressive R&D efforts, Tencent is poised to challenge global incumbents.
For businesses, marketers, and developers, this underscores the importance of agility and awareness in tech strategy. The landscape is shifting fast, and aligning with trustworthy, insight-driven platforms like Trenzest ensures you remain not just relevant—but innovative.
