Alibaba to Introduce AI-Powered Sourcing Engine to Enhance Online Trade for Global Merchants
Alibaba to deploy AI-powered sourcing engine for global merchants. Introduction of AI-driven tool to streamline B2B e-commerce. Leveraging AI to predict future sourcing needs and enhance efficiency.
The International Digital Commerce Group (AIDC) of Alibaba will introduce an "AI-powered conversational sourcing engine" in September to simplify global business-to-business e-commerce, as announced by the group. This initiative is part of Alibaba, which also owns the South China Morning Post.
Merchants will access the AI-driven sourcing tool via a dedicated mobile app and Alibaba.com's official website. By using voice input, sourcing professionals can interact with the tool to efficiently match buyers with suitable products and suppliers on the platform.
Alibaba.com president Zhang Kuo expressed confidence in the impact of the AI-powered conversational sourcing engine on the growth of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group. This innovation aims to revolutionise operations for millions of global small and medium-sized enterprises within the US$20-trillion B2B e-commerce industry. Additionally, the sourcing engine will be available for merchants on third-party platforms beyond Alibaba's ecosystem.
The AI-powered sourcing engine leverages Alibaba's extensive experience in global sourcing, utilising data from a billion product listings to enhance the service. It enables buyers to predict future sourcing needs, eliminating the traditional, time-consuming process of manually inputting specific product requirements and sifting through vast amounts of information to find suppliers.
Alibaba's commitment to the international business-to-business e-commerce market is evident through this latest initiative, highlighting its ongoing focus despite the rise of Chinese-founded budget shopping apps like Shein and Temu that have captured global consumer attention.
AIDC's operations encompass various platforms, including business-to-business platform Alibaba.com, international online shopping service AliExpress, Lazada in Southeast Asia, Trendyol in Turkey, and Daraz Group in South Asia. With approximately 100 employees dedicated to its AI business team, AIDC is actively recruiting new talent to support its initiatives.
The introduction of a generative AI-powered tool for AIDC platforms follows Alibaba's management's strategic decision to enhance operational efficiency through technology. Alibaba's CEO Eddie Wu Yongming has emphasised the company's commitment to leveraging AI to benefit its users and operations.
Alibaba to deploy AI-powered sourcing engine for global merchants
Introduction of AI-driven tool to streamline B2B e-commerce
Leveraging AI to predict future sourcing needs and enhance efficiency
Source: SCMP