Alibaba Unveils Accio AI Agent to Transform Global Merchants’ Sourcing Process
Alibaba Group Holding’s international commerce division has introduced a groundbreaking artificial intelligence agent designed to streamline how merchants source products and supplies online.
The newly launched
Accio Agent, developed by Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group (AIDC), aims to "revolutionise international commerce" by automating up to 70% of traditionally time-consuming tasks. These include product ideation, prototyping, compliance checks, and supplier sourcing.
This AI agent represents a significant advancement in the concept of
agentic purchase — where AI agents manage the entire process from product discovery to fulfilment. Such technology has the potential to fundamentally reshape existing models of online search, advertising, and e-commerce, as major tech companies like Amazon also develop their own AI agents.
Alibaba claims that Accio can reduce weeks of market research and product sourcing to just a few minutes. This efficiency gain is expected to lower costs and accelerate operations for merchants, particularly benefiting small and medium-sized businesses and solo entrepreneurs by simplifying their workflows.
"[Accio Agent] is designed to help you do business," said Zhang Kuo, vice-president at AIDC. He emphasized that the AI can handle multiple tasks simultaneously and operate like a team of professionals — including sourcing specialists, developers, engineers, and market researchers.
The introduction of Accio highlights Alibaba’s commitment to leveraging AI to enhance international digital commerce, potentially setting new standards for efficiency and automation in the global supply chain.
Originally published at South China Morning Post on Thu, 14 Aug 2025
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
About Accio Agent and Alibaba's AI Initiatives
Q: What is the primary goal of Alibaba's Accio Agent?
A: The primary goal of Accio Agent is to streamline and automate the product sourcing process for global merchants, significantly reducing the time and effort involved in tasks like product ideation, prototyping, compliance checks, and supplier sourcing.
Q: How much of the sourcing process can Accio Agent automate?
A: Alibaba claims that Accio Agent can automate up to 70% of traditionally time-consuming sourcing tasks.
Q: What is "agentic purchase"?
A: Agentic purchase refers to a model where AI agents manage the entire procurement process, from product discovery and ideation all the way through to fulfilment.
Q: How does Accio Agent benefit small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs)?
A: Accio Agent is expected to lower costs and accelerate operations for merchants, particularly benefiting SMBs and solo entrepreneurs by simplifying their workflows.
Q: What kind of professionals can Accio Agent emulate?
A: Accio Agent can handle multiple tasks simultaneously and operate like a team of professionals, including sourcing specialists, developers, engineers, and market researchers.
Q: What is the potential impact of AI agents like Accio on e-commerce?
A: AI agents have the potential to fundamentally reshape existing models of online search, advertising, and e-commerce by offering increased efficiency and automation.
Crypto Market AI's Take
Alibaba's introduction of the Accio Agent is a prime example of how AI is rapidly being integrated into the core operations of global commerce. This development mirrors the broader trend of leveraging AI to enhance efficiency and reduce friction in complex processes. In the cryptocurrency and digital asset space, similar AI-driven agents are emerging to assist with market analysis, trading strategies, and even regulatory compliance. At Crypto Market AI, we focus on providing sophisticated AI tools for traders and businesses to navigate the dynamic digital asset landscape. Our platform offers AI-powered trading bots and advanced market analytics, designed to identify opportunities and manage risks effectively. Discover how our AI solutions can help you stay ahead in the digital economy.
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