The tool, named “Tanyixia” (translated as “do a little search”), allows users to upload or scan images to gather information on various topics, including plants, animals, food, and cartoon characters. It also supports practical functions like translating menus or drug instructions, enhancing the app’s utility for its one billion users.
Announced Monday, the feature saw over 20,000 users access it within 24 hours, according to Alipay data. This development showcases Alipay’s efforts to stay competitive in the AI-driven era, particularly against Tencent’s WeChat, its main rival in China’s digital wallet market.
While Alipay, originally created as a payment solution for Alibaba’s Taobao marketplace, has evolved into a comprehensive lifestyle app, WeChat dominates transaction volumes due to its widespread use among shop owners and street vendors. Alipay leads in total transaction value, reflecting its popularity for high-value payments.
The rivalry between the two platforms intensified after Beijing’s antitrust crackdown forced them to open their ecosystems. In September, Alibaba began accepting WeChat Pay on its Taobao and Tmall platforms, while Tencent enabled WeChat users to access and place orders on Taobao links by October.
Alipay’s new feature builds on WeChat’s 2019 photo search tool but differentiates itself with generative AI capabilities that can write captions for uploaded images. This highlights Alipay’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into its platform, leveraging generative AI to create new content, such as text, images, and videos, further broadening its appeal.
The rollout reflects a broader push among Chinese tech giants to use AI innovations to drive user loyalty and expand their reach in an increasingly competitive market.
