Alibaba.com CoCreate Unveils AI Trade
Artificial intelligence is transforming global commerce. Look no further than Alibaba.com’s CoCreate Pitch Competition, the world’s largest such contest focused on products, which recently drew over 20,000 submissions vying for a $1 million prize pool.
Over two-thirds of the entrants leveraged AI or machine learning. Which makes sense. From speech recognition to image processing, AI offers capabilities that empower founders and solopreneurs to slash costs, accelerate product development, and reach customers on a global scale.
Here are three ways AI is changing commerce and cross-border trade.
Overcome trade barriers
Today’s rising trade tension might seem to complicate cross-border commerce, and it often does. But AI is a difference-maker.
Applied strategically, AI eliminates barriers that have long hindered international trade. These include language differences, knowledge gaps about foreign markets and suppliers, and establishing trust across borders.
AI also enables businesses to broaden their supplier base, to protect against market-moving events and economic shifts. New tools such as Alibaba.com‘s Accio, the world’s first AI-powered B2B search engine for sourcing, remake cross-border procurement.
Eliminate inefficiencies
Too many merchants pour resources into tasks that no longer need humans. Take multilingual product listings. Merchants once spent hours identifying and testing the keywords international shoppers were likely to search.
AI can translate product listings into multiple languages and serve up the precise search terms to get products seen by shoppers around the world.
Plus, AI can streamline other manual processes, such as global customer support and patent checks. AI-driven customer service operates around the clock, providing instant help to customers anywhere, anytime. And AI can quickly scan for potential patent infringements, freeing up skilled professionals from a once manual process.
Manage supply chains
And now, AI assistants such as Accio Agent do more than searching and sourcing. They can select the best suppliers, handle communications, manage the purchase process, and ensure the delivery of goods. Small businesses and solopreneurs compete equally with enterprises at a fraction of the cost.
It works like this. Merchants share their product concept with an AI agent. The agent immediately generates a tailored plan, complete with market statuses, regulatory guidelines, and design specifications.
Once approved, the AI agent finds the most reliable suppliers at the best price and delivers a final, production-ready roadmap. The entire workflow, from product idea to final delivery, is completed via conversational chat with the AI agent. It’s hyper-efficient and cost-effective.
Attend CoCreate 2025
Alibaba.com’s CoCreate 2025 takes place in Las Vegas on September 4-5 and in London on November 14. It’s a unique opportunity for in-person growth and development. Ecommerce owners and operators will learn from innovators, industry experts, and fellow entrepreneurs how AI is reshaping global trade, with tactics to supercharge their own operations. Learn more about CoCreate. >
