BABA(US:BABA) Zheng Quan Shi Bao·2026-01-18 21:38Core Insights - Alibaba's latest Qianwen APP integrates AI functionalities for food delivery, flight booking, and hotel reservations, marking the beginning of the competition for AI entry points in 2026 [1][2] - The competition among major players like Alibaba, ByteDance, and Tencent is intensifying, focusing on the integration of AI into consumer-facing applications [2][5] - The shift from traditional internet entry points to AI-driven interfaces signifies a fundamental change in the logic of traffic distribution and business ecosystems [5][6] Group 1: AI Application Developments - Alibaba's Qianwen APP has achieved over 10 million downloads within seven days of its launch, surpassing records set by ChatGPT and DeepSeek, making it the fastest-growing AI application [2] - ByteDance's Doubao has reached over 100 million daily active users, becoming a leading AI application in China, and has integrated shopping functionalities within Douyin [3] - Tencent's Yuanbao, launched in May 2024, has seen significant user growth due to its integration with DeepSeek and substantial marketing investments [3] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - The competition for AI entry points is characterized by a focus on "traffic control rights" and "data and ecosystem construction rights," with the ultimate goal of establishing a sustainable business model [5][6] - The AI entry point battle is not just about user acquisition but also about creating a habitual reliance on AI for consumer needs [6][7] - The positioning of AI applications varies among companies: Alibaba aims for an "AI shopping assistant," ByteDance focuses on "video entertainment," and Tencent explores "social AI" [7] Group 3: Emerging Trends - The emergence of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) indicates a shift from traditional search engine optimization to AI-driven content adaptation, emphasizing the importance of AI in user interaction [8][9] - The AI application sector has seen a significant increase in stock prices, with some companies experiencing over 100% growth, driven by the GEO concept [9] - Despite the competitive landscape, the commercialization of AI applications remains uncertain, with companies primarily focused on user experience rather than immediate monetization [9]