Alibaba’s Qwen AI App Gains Traction as Virtual Life Assistant
Alibaba's newly launched Qwen app, powered by its proprietary large language models, is transforming from a simple chatbot into a comprehensive virtual assistant. The application seamlessly integrates with Alibaba's ecosystem—including Taobao, Alipay, and Fliggy—to execute 400+ daily tasks, from milk tea orders to price monitoring.
"It's no longer just a chatbot; it's an AI-powered life assistant," said Wu Jia, Alibaba's VP for consumer AI, during a demonstration where she ordered 40 cups of milk tea. Early adopters like Yang Tao, a Nanjing-based EV industry worker, highlight its potential to simplify digital interactions for seniors and busy professionals alike.
Analyst Zhuang Shuai of Bailian Consulting notes the strategic MOVE aligns with Alibaba's broader AI ambitions, though the announcement conspicuously omitted any blockchain or cryptocurrency integrations—a notable absence given the company's past fintech explorations.