As reported by ReutersAccording to Reuters, users will be able not just to search for products by keywords, but to communicate with an AI agent inside the Qwen app: ask questions, compare offers, get recommendations and immediately make purchases.
“Agentic AI” with virtual fitting of clothes
Qwen will have access to the Taobao and Tmall ecosystem, which hosts more than 4 billion products. To handle this volume, Alibaba has developed a special “skills library” – a system that automates logistics, order processing and after-sales service.
The company relies on so-called “agentic AI” – AI that responds to requests and performs real actions for the user. Previously, Alibaba has already started testing within Qwen the functions of ordering food, booking trips and paying for services without switching between apps. Now this model is coming to online retail as well.
The Taobao app itself will feature a Qwen-powered AI assistant with virtual clothing fitting and a feature that automatically tracks prices for the past 30 days. Reuters notes that the system will also analyze users’ purchase history and preferences to generate personalized recommendations right in chat.
AI is being used by Amazon and Shopify
Alibaba’s strategy highlights the growing gap between Chinese and Western approaches to e-commerce. While Amazon uses AI mainly to improve search and recommendations, Chinese platforms are looking to build AI directly into the shopping experience. Shopify, for example, prefers to support third-party AI agents instead of building its own closed ecosystem.
Alibaba is increasing pressure on competitors within China as well. Analysts expect the launch of conversational shopping to accelerate the race for AI solutions among players such as PDD Holdings and JD.com.
For Alibaba, the stakes are particularly high. The company is trying to turn Qwen from a mere chatbot into the central interface for its entire digital ecosystem, from shopping and delivery to travel and payments.
