What is Alibaba's QN3 model and what are its key features?

Alibaba's QN3 is a comprehensive family of AI models ranging from lightweight 600 million parameter versions to a massive 235 billion parameter powerhouse. Its standout feature is hybrid reasoning capability, allowing it to switch between deep thinking mode (with step-by-step reasoning) and fast answering mode depending on the task. The models are accessible for free under an open license, available on platforms like GitHub, Kaggle, and through cloud providers. QN3 matches or exceeds the performance of leading models from OpenAI and Google while using an efficient approach where only necessary parameters are activated for each query.