Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the transformative impact of AI on the e-commerce industry, suggesting that businesses must adapt to these changes to thrive in 2025 and beyond [3][24]. Group 1: Industry Challenges and AI's Role - In 2024, two major industry events, "only refund" policies and high return rates, have created significant pressure on businesses, leading to increased inventory cycles [3][19]. - The emergence of AI technologies, such as DeepSeek, is seen as a double-edged sword, creating a digital divide between large enterprises and small to medium-sized businesses [3][5]. - A report from Goldman Sachs predicts that AI could enhance productivity across industries by 1% annually, similar to the vision presented by General Electric in 2012 [5][6]. Group 2: Brand Management in the AI Era - The essence of branding is emotional preference, requiring businesses to navigate through five key steps: reach, acceptance, first purchase, loyalty, and advocacy [8]. - The DEEPLINK model by Alibaba Mama segments the consumer journey into detailed steps, allowing for more effective data-driven marketing strategies [8][9]. - AI tools are becoming essential for brands, with nearly 36% of advertisers in China already utilizing AIGC technology in their marketing efforts [6][12]. Group 3: AI as a Business Optimizer - The concept of "intelligent agents" is gaining traction, with AI expected to play a crucial role in optimizing business operations and decision-making processes [14][16]. - AI can generate comprehensive reports in minutes, providing insights into market trends and competitive analysis, which were previously time-consuming tasks [15][17]. - The integration of AI capabilities is seen as a significant evolution in business operations, enabling companies to make data-driven decisions and enhance their marketing precision [16][21]. Group 4: Evolving Market Dynamics - The article highlights a shift towards a healthier business environment, where AI can help identify and mitigate issues such as high refund rates and low-quality competition [20][21]. - The rise of the Z generation is driving a new era of diverse consumer demands, with new product categories experiencing sales growth of 15% to 20% [12][22]. - AI is positioned as a tool for leveling the playing field in e-commerce, making it easier for small businesses to compete against larger corporations [20][24]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The article concludes that the evolution of AI will lead to a restructured economic landscape, emphasizing the importance of adapting to these changes for future success [24][25]. - Companies that embrace AI capabilities are likely to see significant benefits, particularly in product quality and supply chain management, as the market shifts away from a focus on low prices [21][22].