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Taobao’s New AI E-commerce Features
Following the AI Universal Search, Taobao, which continues to advance in the AI e-commerce field, has new moves. The Paper reporter learned that the ‘AI Find Low Prices’ function for Photo Search has been fully launched to all users in August. Since its trial run in March, this function has mainly been applied to image search scenarios, relying on AI to automatically identify similar products and compare price differences, and recommend more cost-effective alternative options to users.
How ‘AI Find Low Prices’ Works
Taking a computer side stand as an example, AI can summarize the average price range of the product and analyze the causes of price differences. For instance, the price of aluminum alloy computer side stands generally ranges from 12 to 35 yuan (approximately $1.65 to $4.85), while the high-end version with magnetic suction and wireless charging functions rises to 43 to 85 yuan (about $5.89 to $11.65). If users choose basic materials like plastic or ABS, the price will drop significantly. Through such analysis, users can clearly understand the corresponding relationship between ‘functions – prices’, achieve transparent comparison, and thus make purchasing decisions that better meet their needs and budgets.
The ‘AI Price Comparison’ function is driven by text large models and multimodal technologies, covering links such as product selection, classification, and similar product discrimination to achieve similar product price comparison. During the price comparison process, the system will also automatically eliminate products with poor reviews and low sales, recommending more value-for-money options to users.
In-Test ‘AI Assistant – Help Me Choose’ Function
At the same time, Taobao is testing a new function called ‘AI Assistant – Help Me Choose’. The reporter learned that this function is positioned as a virtual shopping guide, which can guide users to sort out their needs and generate screening results through multi-round structured questions and answers. Currently, the function entrance is set at the floating robot icon at the bottom right corner of the product search results page.
Taking the purchase of a clothes drying rack as an example, the system will ask questions around dimensions such as usage scenarios, size, functional preferences, and budget to help users quickly lock in suitable products.
Industry Trends: AI Shopping Guides Across Platforms
It is worth noting that Taobao is not the only platform deploying AI shopping guides. Amazon has long launched the ‘Buy For Me’ feature, which supports users to describe their shopping needs in natural language, and the system will automatically screen products and complete the order process according to the needs, further simplifying the shopping operation. OpenAI’s Operator Agent also has powerful e-commerce functions, which can realize automatic add to cart and payments, providing users with a more convenient shopping experience.
In the domestic market, JD.com has also launched an exclusive intelligent shopping guide system, providing users with personalized product recommendations and shopping guidance through AI technology; Douyin E-commerce relies on the ‘AI Label’ feature to carry out AI certification on product information, helping consumers better distinguish the authenticity and quality of products.
Expert Insights
‘E-commerce AI applications have moved from proof of concept to deep scene cultivation stage.’ Cui Lili, vice president of the Digital Economy Research Institute at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, told The Paper reporter that in the past, AI applications of e-commerce platforms were more at the conceptual level with relatively single functions. Now, AI technology has begun to deeply integrate into all aspects of e-commerce shopping, from product search, price comparison, to demand sorting, recommendation, and then to order placement, after-sales, etc. The application scenarios of AI technology are constantly expanding and the application depth is deepening.
In Cui Lili’s view, future e-commerce competition will focus more on how to deeply integrate AI technology into various shopping scenarios and provide users with more personalized, intelligent, and convenient shopping services through technological innovation.
