Alibaba's Free Coding Tool Hides a Powerful AI Model
A mysterious new AI called Qoduck is free to use and may be the next big thing.
Alibaba has quietly added a new AI model called Qoduck to its coding tool, Qoder. The model's origin is listed as "undisclosed," but many believe it's a preview of Qwen 4, the next version of Alibaba's popular AI. For a limited time, Qoduck is free to use every day. Early testers report that it outperforms some competitors and is close to top models in style, though it can be slow.
For everyday people, this means access to a powerful coding assistant at no cost. If you're learning to code or need help with programming tasks, Qoduck could be a valuable tool. However, the free access is temporary, and the model's origins are unclear, so it's wise to be cautious about relying on it for important work.
The secrecy has sparked speculation and criticism. Some note that Alibaba hasn't been transparent, and there's been a flood of near-identical promotional posts about Qoduck, which raises questions about authenticity. Many fans of Qwen's open models are asking Alibaba to release Qwen 4 openly so they can run it on their own computers.
In summary, Qoduck is a free, powerful coding AI with a mysterious background. It's worth trying while it's free, but keep in mind that it may not be around forever and its true identity is still unknown.
- Alibaba's Qoder tool now offers a free AI model called Qoduck, but its origin is undisclosed.
- Early users say it's very capable, possibly a preview of Qwen 4, but it can be slow.
- The free access is limited, and the secrecy has led to skepticism and calls for transparency.
Why It Matters
You can try a top-tier coding assistant for free, but its temporary nature and hidden origins mean you shouldn't depend on it for critical work.