(Yicai) June 17 -- Ant Group has launched an artificial intelligence-native version of its online payment platform Alipay, which boasts more than one billion users, as Chinese tech companies are racing to add AI functions to their super apps to attract users and increase traffic.

Alipay’s AI-native version has started testing among selected users and will gradually be available to everyone, Hangzhou-based Ant announced yesterday. The app introduced AI agent Ah Bao, which can help users find services more easily and execute daily tasks by voice command.

Users can access more than 10,000 everyday services, including ride hailing, food delivery, and home appliance repair booking, through natural conversations with Ah Bao, Ant noted.

“Alipay has always pursued one goal: using technology to remove frictions from everyday services -- whether it is paying bills without leaving home or booking doctor appointments without queues,” said Li Jun, president of Alipay Business Group. “Today, we continue to explore how AI can optimize the way users access services, transforming AI from a productivity tool for the few into an everyday helper for the many.”

The interface of Alipay’s AI-native app features a clean design with only two sections at the top -- Ah Bao and Asset -- with the latter serving as an overview of the user’s personal account. Financial functions, such as transfers and payments, still need users’ manual clicks to confirm, setting a boundary for the AI agent’s access.

In addition to bringing consumers more convenient and intuitive experiences, Ah Bao provides a more direct entry point for merchants and brands to match their services with consumers, Ant noted, adding that Alipay will also launch an open-source agent platform for developers, merchants, and independent software vendors to help them better connect with the Ah Bao ecosystem.

WeChat, another Chinese super app with over one billion users, developed by Tencent Holdings, is also expected to launch a similar AI function. Tencent is trying to build an AI agent that will connect WeChat’s mini programs, social networking, and payment, President Martin Lau said at an earnings call in March.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Futura Costaglione