Alibaba to integrate Qwen AI with Taobao , launch agentic shopping experience

Alibaba is preparing to integrate its artificial intelligence (AI) platform Qwen with its flagship online marketplace Taobao, enabling consumers to search for, compare and purchase products through natural language conversations rather than traditional keyword-based searches.

According to a source familiar with the matter, the new feature will allow users of the Qwen app to access the full catalogs of Taobao and Tmall, which together list more than 4 billion products.

Consumers will be able to ask the AI assistant for recommendations, compare options and complete purchases directly within the chat interface.

The Qwen app will also draw on a “skills library” designed to manage logistics, payments and after-sales services.

By analysing users’ purchase histories and shopping preferences, the assistant will offer personalised suggestions tailored to individual tastes and needs.

Within Taobao itself, Alibaba plans to launch a Qwen-powered shopping assistant featuring virtual try-on capabilities and 30-day price tracking, allowing users to monitor price changes before making purchases.

The initiative underscores China’s lead in embedding AI directly into e-commerce transactions.

While Amazon has introduced AI tools to improve product discovery, it has been cautious about granting AI full purchasing autonomy. Meanwhile, Shopify supports third-party AI agents rather than operating its own consumer-facing AI platform.

Alibaba’s latest move reflects the company’s broader push to integrate generative AI across its ecosystem and reshape how consumers interact with online marketplaces.