China’s Alibaba Group’s international e-commerce arm is leveraging generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist cross-border sellers with translations, content creation, and product returns. Alibaba Group vice president Kaifu Zhang highlighted these advancements at the Reuters Next conference in Singapore.
AI Innovation and Global Competitiveness
Kaifu Zhang expressed optimism about the potential of AI for the company despite rising tensions between China and the United States. “China is pretty much on par with the U.S. in terms of the pace of (AI) innovation,” said Zhang, noting global advances in open-source AI technologies by experts in China and Europe.
The sprawling tech conglomerate is striving to make global marketplaces, including AliExpress and Lazada, more competitive following a restructuring that saw its international online commerce division split into a separate entity. This move aims to enhance the company’s ability to compete on a global scale and provide better services to its users.
Growth and Future Prospects
The newly formed Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group now boasts over a million merchants worldwide and serves more than 300 million consumers annually. This division is considered one of Alibaba Group’s most promising growth areas, with its profit for the period from October to December last year growing by 44% year on year. Last week, reports surfaced that the company had begun preparations for an IPO in the US, which could take place next year, notes NIX Solutions. We’ll keep you updated on this development.
By integrating AI tools, Alibaba aims to streamline operations and improve the overall experience for both sellers and consumers, positioning itself as a formidable player in the international e-commerce market.