Ant Group Launches AI-Powered Life Assistant App

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What’s new: Ant Group Co. Ltd. has launched a life assistant app powered by artificial intelligence (AI), tapping the nascent technology as the Chinese fintech giant seeks new revenue sources following a major overhaul of its business.

The Zhixiaobao app, powered by Ant Group’s large language model (LLM) BaiLing, can help users complete tasks such as ordering meals, hailing taxis, booking tickets, and finding dining and entertainment options through text or voice chat, the company said Thursday. Zhixiaobao is also accessible through the Alipay payment app.

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Ant Group launched an AI-powered life assistant app, Zhixiaobao, integrated with Alipay for tasks like ordering meals and booking tickets.
Following a substantial regulatory crackdown, Ant Group paid a 7.1 billion yuan fine and restructured, creating three independent units.
The company invested 21.2 billion yuan in R&D last year and received government approval to use its BaiLing model publicly.

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Who’s Who

Ant Group Co. Ltd.: Ant Group Co. Ltd., affiliated with Alibaba Group, has launched the AI-powered Zhixiaobao app to aid users in tasks like ordering meals and booking taxis. Following a major business overhaul due to a regulatory crackdown and a $984 million fine, the company has focused on AI, payments, and global expansion. Ant International, OceanBase, and Ant Digital Technologies were segmented into independent businesses. The company invested 21.2 billion yuan in R&D last year.

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. is affiliated with Ant Group Co. Ltd., which is pushing ahead in AI, payments, and international expansion following a regulatory crackdown since November 2020. This crackdown delayed Ant Group's IPO and led to its restructuring and a substantial fine.

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What Happened When

November 2020：: Ant Group faced a bruising regulatory crackdown two days before it was to launch a world record-setting $34.5 billion IPO.

Last year, 2023：: Ant Group spent a record 21.2 billion yuan on research and development according to its sustainability report.

Last year, 2023：: Ant Group won approval from the Chinese government to use its BaiLing model to provide services to the public.

Last July 2023：: Ant Group was fined 7.1 billion yuan ($984 million) at the end of a years-long government-led restructuring.

March 2024：: Ant Group announced a revamp where Ant International, OceanBase, and Ant Digital Technologies would become three independently run businesses with their own boards of directors.