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Abstract
There has been a long history of analysing the opportunities and challenges for firms that are late adopters of new technologies or late industry entrants. Such research focuses on the socio-technological aspects of learning, including the patterns of technological diffusion, technology adaptation, linkages and innovation, to provide a deeper understanding and guidance for firms.
While the study of learning, technology transfer and capabilities is, therefore, an important aspect in examining firms and development, I argue that our current understandings need to be revisited and require substantial updating for the era of AI, and particularly open source AI, which provides potential new opportunities and constraints.
Through analysing the case of open source within Tencent Hunyuan AI, I will unpack these questions empirically, highlighting actions that facilitate activity, the challenges faced and the different types of community involvement emerging.