Alibaba recently announced a major strategic move: the plan to deeply integrate its AI large model Qwen with Taobao, aiming to completely rewrite the traditional e-commerce shopping model through conversational interaction.

In this new service architecture, consumers' shopping experience will become more intuitive and intelligent. Users can complete the entire process from product selection to placing an order simply by having a conversation within the Qwen app. To support this massive interaction demand, Qwen has successfully integrated with a vast database containing over 4 billion products. AI not only provides end-to-end shopping services but also offers intelligent product recommendations based on precise contextual understanding.

淘宝 App Upgrades Synchronously, AI Shopping Assistant Launches

In addition to efforts on the Qwen side, the Taobao App itself will also undergo significant updates. According to reports, Taobao is about to launch a dedicated AI shopping assistant and introduce cutting-edge features such as virtual try-on, using augmented reality and artificial intelligence technology to address users' concerns about dressing while shopping remotely.

This series of actions also reflects the differences in AI strategies among global e-commerce giants. Compared to the relatively fragmented and conservative approaches of overseas platforms, domestic e-commerce giants have shown a stronger willingness to integrate, tending to deeply embed AI technology into every link of transactions, striving for comprehensive intelligent upgrades throughout the entire supply chain.

Alibaba's AI Business Strategy Continues to Accelerate

Looking back at recent developments, Alibaba is accelerating the construction of its AI ecosystem. From unifying its AI brand under "Qwen" at the beginning of 2026, to launching more than 400 functions in the App, and then fully integrating with Alipay, AutoNavi, and Fliggy, Alibaba's AI strategy is shifting from a single technical demonstration to practical application across all scenarios.

In April of this year, Alibaba also launched a digital human image of Qwen called "Qwen Xiaojiuwu" and applied for related trademarks. Previously, there were reports that Alibaba plans to launch AI agents based on the Qwen model for the enterprise market, aiming to foster more "one-person companies." These measures not only caused fluctuations in Alibaba's stock price but also mark the e-commerce industry's transition from the "search era" to the "intelligent agent shopping era."