Ant Group, Alibaba Group Holding’s Hangzhou-based fintech affiliate, is testing an Alipay redesign with an AI agent.

The feature could let users book rides, order coffee or takeout, and buy mutual funds by typing or speaking requests, with user authorization.

The update is being tested internally, and its release timing has not been set.

The change could matter because Alipay is a leader in China’s online payments.  The service had more than 500 million monthly active users in 2019.

CGAP said Alipay was also used for daily services. More than one million restaurants, 40,000 supermarkets and convenience stores, one million taxis, and 300 hospitals connected to the app.

The test could sharpen Ant’s rivalry with Tencent’s WeChat. WeChat is also testing a prototype AI assistant. Both companies are adding AI features aimed at keeping users inside their ecosystems.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg

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