AI Mode expands Alibaba’s global trade toolkit
Alibaba.com introduced a new feature called AI Mode, offering businesses advanced search and comparison tools. The system lets buyers evaluate suppliers based on pricing, logistics, production capabilities, and other factors. According to Zhang, global buyers are rapidly shifting toward AI-driven search and expect faster, more accurate insights when sourcing products internationally.
Over the past fiscal year, this division generated more than $3 billion in revenue. It serves global buyers looking for manufacturers and products across multiple regions. Zhang noted that the new AI Mode subscription could become an additional revenue stream, with pricing options under consideration at $20 per month or $99 per year.
Alibaba continues to invest heavily in AI through its Qwen family of models, which power various business units, including Alibaba.com. The platform also uses Accio, its search and multimodal analysis engine, which helps identify niche or unlisted suppliers. Accio evaluates manufacturing capabilities and product specifications, allowing buyers to match with suppliers that traditional search tools often overlook.
The system also automates several workflows—from supplier discovery and logistics coordination to compliance checks. Between March and October, the number of global suppliers on the platform grew by 50% compared to the same period last year. Zhang told CNBC that Alibaba aims to onboard more high-quality manufacturers worldwide to strengthen global supply chains.
New contract automation and a move toward tokenized payments
In December, Alibaba.com plans to roll out a tool called Agentic Pay. It will allow AI to automatically generate legally binding contracts based on negotiations and correspondence between buyers and suppliers on the platform. Currently, contracts drafted offline must be uploaded manually — a process the new feature is designed to replace.
Cross-border payments typically involve multiple currencies and can take several days as they pass through layers of intermediaries. Zhang told CNBC the company plans to accelerate this process using tokenization — turning traditional bank deposits into a digital form that moves more efficiently through financial systems.
Tokenized deposits differ from stablecoins: deposits are backed by fiat currency on a bank’s balance sheet, while stablecoins are issued by private firms and may be backed by assets like bonds or cash. Zhang said Alibaba.com is exploring tokenized euros and U.S. dollars to support faster settlement.
The company plans to work with banking partners, including JPMorgan, which already runs tokenization systems. CNBC noted that JPMorgan has introduced its own token, JPMD, to speed up cross-border fund transfers.