How Alibaba is using AI to revitalize e-commerce platforms

Alibaba is increasingly integrating artificial intelligence into its online stores. While traditional Chinese e-commerce operations are under pressure, flash delivery is growing rapidly, and the company is fully committed to AI—even though it’s eating into profits.

Learning from the newcomers

Starting this quarter, Alibaba E-commerce Group is consolidating all domestic and international online stores, the Freshippo supermarket chain, and parts of the logistics company Cainiao into a single entity. The Chinese conglomerate aims to generate greater synergy from platforms such as Taobao, Tmall, AliExpress, and its rapidly growing delivery operations.