Alibaba is preparing to introduce the integration of its AI platform Qwen with the Taobao marketplace to transform the shopping process into a dialogue format, replacing traditional keyword searches.
Alibaba is preparing to introduce the integration of its AI platform Qwen with the Taobao marketplace to transform the shopping process into a dialogue format, replacing traditional keyword searches.
This solution will allow consumers to browse, compare and purchase products through the Qwen application, communicating with an AI agent, instead of manually searching for the desired items in catalogs, writes Reuters.
The Qwen app will have access to the entire Taobao and Tmall catalog, which has over 4 billion products, and will be supported by a “skill library” capable of managing logistics and after-sales service. The service will also offer personalized recommendations based on users’ order history and preferences.
Inside Taobao, Alibaba will launch an AI assistant based on Qwen, which will include tools for virtual fitting and price tracking for 30 days.
Alibaba's push to introduce AI-powered shopping highlights the gap between Chinese and Western e-commerce platforms: the Chinese model allows for the integration of AI directly into live transactions.
In the US, platforms are more fragmented: Amazon uses AI to improve the shopping process within its marketplace, but is cautious about full autonomy.
Canadian company Shopify allows the use of external AI agents instead of launching its own integrated consumer AI platform.
