TECH

Ant Revamps Alipay With AI Assistant in Biggest App Overhaul

Published: Jun. 17, 2026 2:47 a.m. GMT+8

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Alipay launched an AI version named Abao on June 16. The new version is currently in the invite-only testing phase. Photo: IC

Ant Group Co. Ltd. has unveiled a major redesign of its Alipay app, adding a conversational AI assistant aimed at simplifying navigation in what the company describes as the platform’s biggest overhaul to date.

The revamp underscores an intensifying push by Chinese technology companies to embed generative AI into sprawling consumer apps, while keeping sensitive financial transactions under strict user control.

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Ant Group launches major Alipay redesign with AI assistant Abao, simplifying access to over 10,000 services via voice/text commands.
Core financial functions remain separate, requiring manual confirmation for payments; original app and AI version both available.
Alipay's AI Pay processed 300 million AI-initiated transactions; rival Tencent expands AI in WeChat with developer ecosystem.

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Ant Group Co. Ltd.: Ant Group Co. Ltd. has redesigned its Alipay app with a conversational AI assistant called Abao, enabling voice/text commands for over 10,000 services. Financial functions remain separate, requiring manual confirmation for transactions. Ant also plans an open platform for developers. The overhaul comes amid AI competition with Tencent's WeChat.

Tencent Holdings Ltd.: Tencent Holdings Ltd. is expanding AI features in WeChat, its rival to Alipay. On June 8, WeChat opened its AI agent ecosystem to developers, with Meituan, Trip.com, Tongcheng Travel, and DiDi among the first to begin beta testing integrations.

Meituan: According to the article, Meituan was among the first companies to begin beta testing integrations when WeChat opened its AI agent ecosystem to developers on June 8.

Trip.com Group Ltd.: Trip.com Group Ltd., a Chinese travel services company, was among the first firms to begin beta testing integrations in WeChat's AI agent ecosystem, which opened to developers on June 8, 2025. This move reflects the broader trend of embedding generative AI into consumer apps.

Tongcheng Travel Holdings Ltd.: According to the article, Tongcheng Travel Holdings Ltd. is among the first companies to begin beta testing integrations with WeChat's newly opened AI agent ecosystem, alongside Meituan, Trip.com Group, and DiDi Global Inc.

DiDi Global Inc.: According to a recent article, DiDi Global Inc. was among the first companies to begin beta testing integrations on Tencent's WeChat AI agent ecosystem, which opened to developers on June 8, 2025.

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.: According to the article, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s AI chat app Qwen integrated Alipay in January 2026 to support AI-driven shopping and payments across platforms including Taobao, Taobao Flash Delivery, Fliggy, and AMap.

MiniMax: MiniMax is a Chinese AI startup whose M3 model was integrated into Alipay's Token Pay system on June 15, marking the system's first large-scale application. The company focuses on developing large language models and AI solutions.

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