Alibaba Group Holding’s operations will be driven by artificial intelligence (AI) in the next three to five years, in line with the e-commerce giant’s ambitious AI strategy, according to chairman Joe Tsai.
“In the next three to five years, all of our businesses should be driven by AI,” Tsai said on Saturday at AliDay, the company’s annual gathering for staff and family members. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.
He added that he envisioned AI helping to grow the user base for its e-commerce and other businesses, according to video clips from the gathering, the authenticity of which was confirmed by Alibaba employees.
Alibaba kicked off its two-day annual gathering on Friday to recognise family members and employees for their steadfast support. This year, AliDay celebrations are being held in the group’s offices in Hangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and overseas.
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How Alibaba.com is betting on AI to transform e-commerce
How Alibaba.com is betting on AI to transform e-commerce
On Saturday, Tsai and chief people officer Jane Jiang Fang answered questions from the staff, which ranged from the impact of the US-China trade war on the country and the company to many other topics.
“We have the upper hand in the trade war,” he said. A large part of China’s exports to US consist of hi-tech products with complex supply chains, unlike US exports such as oil and soybeans that can be easily replaced, he explained.
