3 6 Ke·2025-08-25 00:10Core Viewpoint - Alibaba is adapting to the AI e-commerce era, with founder Jack Ma emphasizing the need for transformation and confidence in the company's future amidst competition from Pinduoduo [1] Group 1: AI E-commerce Strategy - Alibaba has been gradually advancing its AI e-commerce strategy, initially focusing on B2B applications but now shifting towards C2C user experiences [2][3] - The new "AI Universal Search" feature is currently in gray testing, targeting four key scenarios: outfit recommendations, gift lists, shopping guides, and product reviews [3][5] Group 2: AI Universal Search Functionality - "AI Universal Search" allows users to ask questions in natural language, generating a comprehensive report that includes text, products, and multimedia to assist with shopping decisions [3][5] - Unlike other AI shopping assistants, "AI Universal Search" does not provide direct product links but offers personalized solutions and recommendations based on user needs [5][10] Group 3: Market Trends and Insights - The introduction of "AI Universal Search" aligns with trends identified by a16z, which notes that AI is reshaping various purchasing behaviors, particularly in impulse and routine purchases [6][8] - A16z's report highlights that while AI influences smaller purchases significantly, its impact on major life purchases remains limited due to consumer skepticism [8] Group 4: Competitive Landscape - The emergence of "AI Universal Search" indicates a strategic shift for Alibaba, moving away from content-driven e-commerce that has been a focus since the pandemic [10][11] - Despite challenges from content platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou, Alibaba's users exhibit high purchase intent, with a conversion rate of 8.2%, significantly above the industry average [13]