Alipay launches Abao, an AI-driven feature, putting it ahead in China's super app AI competition.

      Credit: Alipay

      Alipay, which is China's top mobile payment and super app platform, has introduced its AI-driven assistant Abao today and has commenced invitation-only testing for users. This marks the most significant redesign in the platform's history and indicates a comprehensive transition towards AI-based services.

      Starting June 16, selected users can access the revamped interface by simply swiping right, with a wider launch anticipated in the coming months. The redesign focuses on streamlining interactions and bringing services together, transitioning from a conventional service-discovery model to an AI-native experience where services are delivered through conversation.

      Alipay assures that it has retained strict security measures concerning payments and user authorization.

      According to GeekPark, through a chat interface, users can instruct Abao to carry out a variety of daily tasks with a single command, such as checking housing fund balances, finding electric vehicle charging stations, settling bills, and booking services. Alipay states that the assistant can link users to tens of thousands of real-world service scenarios, turning conversations into actions.

      The new interface has been organized into two main sections: Abao and Assets. Financial records have been brought together into a consolidated ledger, providing users with a clearer understanding of their expenses and income.

      To ensure security, any transaction involving fund transfers will still need explicit user confirmation. The AI can only take actions that users approve, while Alipay continues to uphold its established payment protection guarantee.

      Acknowledging that not all users are prepared for an AI-first experience, Alipay permits users to toggle between the traditional version and the new AI interface at their discretion.

      Credit: GeekPark

      The introduction is significant, particularly as WeChat — the largest super app in China, boasting the biggest user base and the strongest social ecosystem — is still determining how to incorporate AI agents into its platform. By making AI a central feature and initiating extensive testing, Alipay has seemingly gained an advantage in the race to reinvent the next generation of super apps.

      Payments and everyday services are largely seen as promising areas for AI agents. These situations are high-frequency, goal-oriented, and linked to clear user intentions, making them well-suited for AI-driven task execution.

      Unlike conventional chatbots that mainly offer information, Abao is directly associated with real-world services such as government benefits, utility payments, transportation, and healthcare. This facilitates a complete workflow from grasping user intent to achieving the requested task.

      Credit: Alipay

      If the trial garners positive responses, it could expedite Alipay's transformation from a payment service into a comprehensive AI life assistant. This might intensify competition, prompting rivals, including WeChat, to hasten the implementation of their own AI agent initiatives.

      In the upcoming years, the competition to become users' primary digital agent may emerge as a significant battleground within China's internet industry.

      Jessie Wu is a technology journalist based in Shanghai, covering consumer electronics, semiconductors, and the gaming sector for TechNode. You can reach her via email at jessie.wu@technode.com.