#London #United Kingdom #Alibaba #AI Mode #B2B e-commerce

Alibaba.com Launches AI Mode

At the recent CoCreate Europe event held in London, Alibaba.com, a preeminent platform in the business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce sector, unveiled 'AI Mode,' an innovative feature that integrates advanced AI capabilities directly into the user experience. This launch marks a transformative point for the company as it endeavors to enhance global trade through the power of artificial intelligence.

Growth in European Orders

The announcement comes at a time of remarkable growth for Alibaba.com, with European order volumes surging by 57% year-on-year and the number of active suppliers worldwide increasing by 50% compared to the previous year. These statistics reflect a growing confidence among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in engaging in cross-border trade, setting the stage for Alibaba.com’s strategic pivot towards embedding AI at the heart of the global trade experience.

Introducing AI Mode

Scheduled for rollout in December, AI Mode is poised to revolutionize how businesses discover, assess, and interact with suppliers in the sprawling $30 trillion B2B market. Nearly 90% of B2B buyers are currently employing AI tools for sourcing and evaluation (Forrester), with AI influencing more than half of all online searches (McKinsey). As the demand for accurate and actionable insights escalates, AI Mode is a timely response to these evolving market needs.

The new feature will decode natural language queries, scrutinize technical specifications, and automatically juxtapose suppliers based on various parameters, such as pricing, logistics, certifications, and production capabilities. Within seconds, users will receive customized recommendations that simplify the sourcing process.

Moreover, AI Mode will interface seamlessly with existing Alibaba.com services, including secure payment systems, Trade Assurance, and after-sales support, promising a fully automated and comprehensive trade experience.

According to Kuo Zhang, President of Alibaba.com, "AI has transitioned from a supportive tool at Alibaba.com to becoming the very operating system of our platform."

Unveiling the Hidden Product Shelf

The engine driving AI Mode is Accio, recognized as the world's first AI-driven B2B search engine, launched in 2024. Enhanced significantly since its inception, Accio is capable of interpreting unstructured data, such as product sketches, engineering blueprints, and documents. This allows it to match these inputs with relevant manufacturing capabilities, thus revealing what Alibaba.com refers to as the "hidden product shelf". This conceptual space comprises a broad network of specialized, custom, or regionally focused suppliers—often high-potential SMEs—whose offerings are typically overlooked under conventional keyword-driven discovery methods.

By elevating these suppliers' visibility, AI Mode is set to enhance product innovation and bolster supply chain resilience among SMEs.

The Surge in European Orders

The notable increase in European orders signifies a broader transformation in the region's business landscape. Recent research conducted by Alibaba.com in collaboration with Censuswide highlighted that 90% of European SMEs consider product innovation pivotal to their growth strategy, while 62% of these businesses express confidence in leveraging AI tools to enhance their design, sourcing, and production processes.

This shift is driven by tighter sustainability regulations, the need for diversified supply chains, and intensified competition. European enterprises are increasingly seeking intelligent, rapid, and transparent sourcing solutions. In this context, AI Mode is tailored to assist buyers in navigating compliance, identifying sustainable partners, and expediting their product launches—all without the necessity of expanding internal workforces.

As Alibaba.com strengthens its commitment to European SMEs, AI Mode stands as both a technological milestone and a strategic facilitator, empowering businesses to compete on a global scale, innovate effectively, and source intelligently.

About Alibaba.com

Founded in 1999, Alibaba.com is a leading global B2B e-commerce platform catering to buyers and suppliers from over 200 nations and regions. With services designed to assist businesses in reaching a worldwide audience and facilitating efficient product discovery and supplier engagement, Alibaba.com is a crucial player within the Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group.