Alibaba Launches Updated Qwen Mobile App with Enhanced AI Capabilities
Alibaba has recently released an updated version of its Qwen mobile application, which has been met with generally positive feedback from users. The company's vice-president for consumer AI, Wu Jia, demonstrated the app's capabilities at its launch event, notably ordering 40 cups of milk tea using the Qwen interface.
The Qwen mobile app is developed using Alibaba's Qwen large language models (LLMs). The Chinese tech giant aims to provide an intuitive user experience through its AI agent features. By integrating Qwen with applications such as Taobao and Alipay, users can now perform tasks like ordering beverages or making payments through voice commands, eliminating the need for repetitive screen interactions.
The app also incorporates services like Taobao Shangou for deliveries, Fliggy for travel bookings, and Amap for navigation, all of which are part of Alibaba's extensive consumer network.
Qwen App: Streamlining Daily Tasks and Beyond
Alibaba has identified approximately 400 daily real-world tasks that the Qwen app is capable of managing. These tasks range from making restaurant reservations to tracking price changes. The Qwen app has evolved beyond being a simple chatbot; it is now positioned as an AI-powered virtual life assistant prepared to serve a vast user base.
Consumers have expressed appreciation for the update, recognizing the Qwen app as a significant component of Alibaba's AI offerings. It simplifies complex processes, such as comparing prices across different vendors, for users. Yang Tao, an employee in Nanjing's new energy vehicle sector, found ordering meals through Qwen to be a straightforward process. He highlighted its potential benefit for senior citizens who may find it challenging to navigate multiple applications.
Zhuang Shuai, founder and chief analyst at Bailian Consulting, suggested that Alibaba's new Qwen app could revolutionize online shopping. He posited that future e-commerce success will hinge not solely on clicks or price competitiveness, but on the availability of a comprehensive range of products and services for AI to analyze and recommend.
Market Trends and Qwen's Position
Morgan Stanley has recently forecasted that Qwen is poised to become a comprehensive AI super-app and life assistant. The bank anticipates that consumer-facing (2C) applications and Agentic AI will dominate the AI sector this year. Major technology companies, including ByteDance and Tencent, are accelerating the release of their 2C products in response to this trend.
In a comparative context, Google has partnered with Walmart to enable users to find and purchase products from the US supermarket chain using Google's AI assistant, Gemini. In contrast, Alibaba's Qwen app offers a broader spectrum of services that extend beyond mere online shopping.
User and expert sentiment suggests that Alibaba's objective of establishing its chatbot app as a powerful AI assistant, capable of transforming how individuals interact with smart devices, appears to be achieving success. The Qwen app reportedly surpassed 100 million monthly active users within just two months of its public beta launch in November.
Alibaba Stock Performance
Alibaba's stock, traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BABA, closed at $165.40. The stock experienced mid-week gains of 1.7%, recovering from recent lower points and reaching $169.90.
Over the past year, Alibaba's American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) have seen a substantial increase of approximately 109%. This performance reflects a notable interest from American investors in a foreign company, particularly one operating within the AI and e-commerce sectors.