Alibaba.com, the global business-to-business (B2B) wholesale marketplace under the Alibaba Group, has announced the upcoming launch of “AI Mode,” a new artificial intelligence tool designed to make cross-border trade more efficient for its global user base. The new feature, set to roll out next month, aims to streamline the often complex process of sourcing products and suppliers.
Automating Sourcing with AI Mode
AI Mode integrates directly into the platform’s search engine, allowing users to make natural language queries to find products and evaluate suppliers. According to Zhang Kuo, president of Alibaba.com, the tool automates a tedious sourcing process that traditionally took days or even weeks to complete.
The AI-powered feature can compare suppliers in minutes, analyzing key metrics such as pricing and production capabilities to provide straightforward recommendations. Zhang highlighted an instance where a Bolivian merchant sourcing hundreds of different products for a regional sports event used AI Mode to handle the entire process based on his requirements, drastically cutting down on manual effort.
The Engine Behind the Innovation
The new tool is powered by Accio, an Alibaba-developed AI sourcing engine specifically designed to match buyers with the most suitable suppliers on the platform. The launch of AI Mode and Accio underscores Alibaba’s increasing focus on leveraging AI to enhance its core services and improve user experience across its vast e-commerce ecosystem.
The announcement was strategically made to coincide with Alibaba.com’s inaugural CoCreate Europe trade fair in London, an event focused on small and medium-sized businesses.
What This Means for MENA’s B2B E-commerce
For founders and businesses across the MENA region, the introduction of AI Mode presents a significant opportunity. As the region’s e-commerce and manufacturing sectors continue to expand, local SMEs increasingly rely on global supply chains for raw materials, finished goods, and components.
This AI tool can empower MENA-based importers and businesses by simplifying the discovery and vetting of international suppliers. By reducing search time and providing data-driven comparisons, it can help lower procurement costs, identify more competitive pricing, and build more resilient supply chains. This efficiency is particularly valuable for startups and growing businesses looking to scale their operations without a large procurement team.
Monetization and Growth Targets
Alibaba.com plans to introduce a subscription model for AI Mode and its underlying engine, Accio. While a limited free trial will be available, the company has set an ambitious target of reaching 1 million subscribers by the end of March 2027. This move aligns with a broader industry trend, with data from Forrester indicating that over 90% of B2B e-commerce buyers now use AI tools in their work.
About Alibaba.com
Alibaba.com is a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce. It serves millions of buyers and suppliers around the world, connecting over 200,000 merchants with a global audience. As part of the Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group, the platform provides businesses with the tools they need to reach a global audience for their products and helps buyers find products and suppliers quickly and efficiently.
Source: Tech in Asia
