Chinese fintech giant Alipay has launched its AI Open Platform for invite-only testing. The platform allows enterprise developers, merchants, and third-party software vendors to convert their existing mini-programs into AI-callable tools.
The AI Open Platform enables merchants and institutions to plug their services directly into Alipay's conversational AI interface, called Abao. This means users can interact with the app using voice commands, and the AI will automatically call the right tool without requiring them to navigate through menus.
Alipay's AI Pay has already gained significant traction, reaching 100 million users by February 2026. In a single week that month, the system processed over 120 million transactions.
The company's pivot towards AI reflects a broader shift in Chinese Big Tech, with Alipay moving away from blockchain-based solutions to focus on AI-powered tools. This move could have significant implications for the broader market, as centralized alternatives to blockchain-based systems gain traction.