Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce giant, has introduced an AI-powered search tool designed to help small businesses in Europe and the Americas source wholesale products more efficiently. The new product, named Accio, leverages advanced artificial intelligence similar to ChatGPT, marking a significant innovation in Alibaba’s e-commerce offerings for international markets. Early tests have shown that the tool can boost purchase intent by as much as 40% compared to traditional search engines.

Accio is an AI-driven platform that allows businesses to find suppliers and products using simple text or image prompts. The tool provides not only product search results but also analysis of their popularity, potential profitability, and market demand. The product is designed to give small businesses a competitive edge by making product sourcing easier and more data-driven. Users can access detailed insights into consumer trends and projections, helping them make more informed procurement decisions.

For example, during a demo, the tool assisted a sports entrepreneur in sourcing pickleball products for a new line. The platform displayed various supplier options, along with data on how well each product might perform in the market, allowing the business owner to make more strategic decisions. This type of comprehensive, AI-powered product sourcing could dramatically reduce the time and effort small businesses typically spend on supply chain research.

The underlying technology of Accio is powered by Tongyi Qianwen, Alibaba’s own large language model (LLM), which enables generative AI capabilities. While Alibaba has not disclosed whether the tool integrates AI technologies from other companies, it uses data from over 50 million businesses across Alibaba International's platform. In total, the tool has access to 1 billion product listings and industry documents spanning over 100 markets globally.

Accio is currently available in multiple languages, including English, German, French, Portuguese, and Spanish, allowing small businesses in diverse regions to take advantage of its capabilities. This multi-language support is crucial as it aims to serve businesses in Europe and North America, two of the largest buyer bases for Alibaba’s international platform.

The introduction of this tool is part of Alibaba's broader strategy to expand its global reach, especially as its international business grows rapidly. In recent years, Alibaba has focused on enhancing its international e-commerce operations, aiming to assist businesses worldwide in sourcing products and managing their supply chains more effectively. In addition to Accio, the company also recently unveiled an upgraded AI translation tool designed to help merchants reach global customers more easily, positioning itself as a leader in AI-driven e-commerce solutions.

As AI continues to gain prominence in business operations, Alibaba is positioning itself as a key player in the future of online commerce. According to Alibaba's Kuo Zhang, Accio’s integration of generative AI could transform how small businesses source products, driving higher engagement and purchase intent. While many businesses are still exploring the monetization potential of AI, Alibaba’s move shows the growing utility of AI in improving productivity and business efficiency.

Though Alibaba’s core revenue still primarily comes from its domestic platforms, Taobao and Tmall, its international business is rapidly expanding. In fact, during the recent Singles Day shopping festival, more than half of the 500 merchants surveyed who sold on Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Alibaba and JD.com utilized AI tools. This indicates a strong trend toward AI integration, which is expected to become a critical part of e-commerce operations moving forward.

With Accio, Alibaba continues to innovate and expand its portfolio of AI tools aimed at streamlining business operations. As more companies embrace AI to enhance productivity, tools like Accio could play a pivotal role in helping small businesses navigate the complexities of global supply chains while boosting profitability.