Ant Group is testing a major redesign of Alipay that could turn the payment platform into an AI-powered daily assistant. The planned update would allow users to complete common tasks through spoken or written requests.
People familiar with the project said the new interface remains under internal testing. Ant Group has not announced a launch date and declined to comment on the reported plans. Therefore, some features could change before any public release.
The redesigned Alipay app would feature an AI assistant known as ‘Ah Bao.’ Users could ask the assistant to book a ride, order coffee or arrange food delivery. They could enter instructions through text or voice.
The AI agent could also handle some financial tasks. According to people familiar with the plans, users may be able to authorize the assistant to purchase mutual funds. However, the exact approval process and security controls have not been disclosed.
Ant has not publicly confirmed whether every Alipay user would receive these tools. The release schedule also ‘has yet to be finalized,’ according to people with knowledge of the internal tests. This leaves questions over when the service may launch and which regions will receive it first.
Alipay already provides payments, travel bookings, utility services and other tools within one app. Adding an AI agent could reduce the number of steps users need to complete each task. Instead of opening separate service pages, a person could make one direct request.
Tencent is also testing an AI agent inside WeChat, which serves more than one billion users. Both apps play a central role in China’s mobile economy and offer services beyond messaging or payments.
The two companies are now trying to use AI agents to keep users inside their platforms. Meanwhile, ByteDance and Alibaba are adding similar tools across their digital services. Alibaba owns about one-third of Ant Group.
Tencent has released several AI products linked to rising interest in agent-based software. Ant’s Alipay update could bring the same type of automation to payments and personal finance. Still, neither company has provided full public details about how its agent will operate.
China’s largest technology groups have spent billions of dollars promoting AI chatbots and related services. Tencent, Alibaba and ByteDance offered cash incentives during the Lunar New Year holiday to attract users. AI agents may raise costs further since they require more computing power to process requests.
Ant Group has increased its AI investment since Chinese regulators stopped its planned initial public offering in 2020. Authorities also placed tighter limits on its lending operations, pushing the company to expand into other business areas.
The company recorded a 79% drop in profit during the final three months of 2025 as spending increased. Its investments included large language models and health-care technology. Ant has also presented a humanoid robot that can provide medical guidance and complete basic kitchen duties.
Additionally, Ant is developing a healthcare app called AQ. The service had reached 140 million users by September, according to company figures.
Ant’s value has fallen sharply since its failed stock market listing. A 2023 share repurchase plan valued the group at about $79 billion. Its planned 2020 listing had placed its value near $280 billion.
Meanwhile, Ant International is reportedly considering a funding round worth about $1 billion. People familiar with the matter said the deal ‘might value’ the global business at $10 billion or more. Ant has not confirmed the fundraising plan publicly.
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