Key facts
- Alibaba is opening its Qwen AI assistant ecosystem to third-party partners.
- Users can order services like food and flights through conversational AI.
- KFC, Luckin Coffee, Mixue Group, and China Eastern Airlines are initial partners.
- The move aims to position Qwen as a central digital gateway.
Alibaba Group Holding is expanding the capabilities of its Qwen AI assistant by opening its ecosystem to third-party partners' agents. This initiative allows users to interact with brands and order various services, such as food from fast-food chains and booking flights, through simple conversational commands. The company announced this development on Wednesday, highlighting that major brands including KFC, Luckin Coffee, Mixue Group, and China Eastern Airlines are among the initial companies participating in the testing phase. Alibaba aims to establish Qwen as a primary digital gateway for consumers in China.