Tech company Ant Group launches AI life assistant

Chinese financial technology company Ant Group has launched an artificial intelligence-powered life assistant called Zhixiaobao on its digital payment platform Alipay.

Through typing texts or sending voice prompts in Zhixiaobao, users can order meals, hail taxis, book tickets, and find local dining and entertainment options through having accessing to the third-party services in Alipay.

As an AI-native application powered by Ant Group's Bailing foundation model, Zhixiaobao is designed to make everyday tasks easier through user-friendly interactions, the company said.

Alipay is committed to harnessing AI's potential to improve the user experience, ensuring that AI assistants like Zhixiaobao become valuable tools in everyday life for all, said Han Xinyi, president of Ant Group.

Han made the remarks at the 2024 Inclusion Conference on the Bund, which kicked off on Thursday in Shanghai. He added the evolution of AI extends beyond mere technological progress, and it is about applying these advancements to practical, user-focused solutions.

Ant Group has accelerated the application of AI technologies in the Alipay app, serving hundreds of millions of users across various life service use cases, including travel, healthcare and financial management.