top of page
tech360.tv

Alibaba's AI Breakthrough: Transforming E-Commerce with Huiwa's Generative Tools on Taobao and Tmall

Alibaba is testing generative AI tools for merchants on Taobao and Tmall. These tools allow merchants to create customized text and graphics content. The move reflects the tech arms race in China's e-commerce sector.

Alibaba Group Holding, the Chinese e-commerce giant, is making strides in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) by testing new generative AI tools for merchants on its platforms Taobao and Tmall. The company is leveraging this technology to enhance sales and boost the performance of its main domestic retail platforms. These generative AI tools, provided by Huiwa, a website operated by Alibaba subsidiary Hangzhou Lianfan Information Technology, allow merchants to create customized text and graphics content.


With Huiwa's AI tools, merchants can input a brief description of a product, which prompts the tool to generate tailored content for marketing and promotion. These generative AI algorithms, similar to those used by ChatGPT, have the ability to create new content such as audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos based on specific prompts. Additionally, Huiwa's tools can produce images based on the desired angles and backgrounds for a product as requested by users.


Alibaba's move to test these AI tools reflects the intensifying tech arms race in China's e-commerce sector. As Taobao and Tmall face increased competition from domestic rival JD.com and emerging shopping platforms like Pinduoduo and Douyin, Alibaba is striving to stay ahead by embracing cutting-edge technologies.


Alibaba's CEO, Eddie Wu Yongming, has reaffirmed the company's commitment to AI, transforming it into an open technology platform that supports adoption across various industries. In January, Alibaba's e-commerce unit Taobao and Tmall Group announced the use of AI models to enhance seller-consumer interaction through the transformation of their customer service chatbot, Dianxiaomi. The updated Dianxiaomi is set to be available to all merchants by June.


While the cost of using these AI tools and their wider release date remain undisclosed, online merchants are optimistic about the potential benefits. Chang Li, an online merchant based in Wuhan, believes that if the output is good, the AI tool could be a cost-effective alternative to hiring foreign models for product shoots. However, merchants like Ye Jiawen in Guangzhou caution that AI-generated images must match the impact of real model pictures to avoid any negative consequences on consumer perception.


Alibaba is not the only player in the Chinese e-commerce industry investing in AI. JD.com has trained its chatbot, ChatRhino, using its own large language model (LLM), similar to ChatGPT. ByteDance has also made strides in AI with initiatives at Douyin and TikTok, while Pinduoduo has been actively recruiting AI talent.


As the tech arms race in China's e-commerce sector heats up, companies are increasingly relying on AI to gain a competitive edge. Alibaba's testing of generative AI tools demonstrates its commitment to innovation and its determination to stay at the forefront of the industry.

 
  • Alibaba is testing generative AI tools for merchants on Taobao and Tmall.

  • These tools allow merchants to create customized text and graphics content.

  • The move reflects the tech arms race in China's e-commerce sector.


Source: SCMP

As technology advances and has a greater impact on our lives than ever before, being informed is the only way to keep up.  Through our product reviews and news articles, we want to be able to aid our readers in doing so. All of our reviews are carefully written, offer unique insights and critiques, and provide trustworthy recommendations. Our news stories are sourced from trustworthy sources, fact-checked by our team, and presented with the help of AI to make them easier to comprehend for our readers. If you notice any errors in our product reviews or news stories, please email us at editorial@tech360.tv.  Your input will be important in ensuring that our articles are accurate for all of our readers.

bottom of page