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Alibaba’s maps app gets an AI upgrade with Qwen-powered agent
mapping

Alibaba’s maps app gets an AI upgrade with Qwen-powered agent

Alibaba upgrades Amap with Teacher Xiaogao, an AI agent for navigation and trip planning using natural language commands.

August 4, 2025
5 min read
South China Morning Post

Alibaba upgrades Amap with Teacher Xiaogao, an AI agent for navigation and trip planning using natural language commands.

Alibaba’s Amap Maps App Introduces AI Agent Powered by Qwen Models

Amap, Alibaba Group Holding’s mapping and local services platform, has launched an AI-powered agent named Teacher Xiaogao, marking a significant technological upgrade to its services. The new AI agent, powered by Alibaba’s proprietary Qwen family of foundational AI models developed by Tongyi Lab, enables users to navigate roads, plan trips, and receive personalized recommendations through natural language commands. Users can interact with the agent using phrases like “send me to the office” or “please find a quiet place with a lake view.” Teacher Xiaogao features autonomous reasoning capabilities and integrates a diverse array of large AI models, positioning it as Alibaba’s first “AI-native” agent designed specifically for mapping services. Amap, which also operates as a ride-hailing platform, boasts 1 billion active users, making it a key channel for Alibaba to deploy its advanced AI technologies in practical, consumer-facing scenarios. This development aligns with China’s broader ambition to lead in AI applications despite foundational models still trailing behind those in the US. Alibaba, a major investor in AI innovation and owner of the South China Morning Post, continues to push the boundaries of AI integration across its ecosystem, with Amap’s upgrade representing a notable milestone in the company’s AI strategy.

FAQ

What is Teacher Xiaogao?

Teacher Xiaogao is an AI-powered agent developed by Alibaba's Amap mapping and local services platform.

What models power Teacher Xiaogao?

Teacher Xiaogao is powered by Alibaba's proprietary Qwen family of foundational AI models from Tongyi Lab.

What can users do with Teacher Xiaogao?

Users can use Teacher Xiaogao to navigate roads, plan trips, and get personalized recommendations through natural language commands.

What makes Teacher Xiaogao unique?

It is Alibaba's first "AI-native" agent specifically designed for mapping services, featuring autonomous reasoning and integration with various large AI models.

How many users does Amap have?

Amap has 1 billion active users. ##Crypto Market AI's Take This advancement by Amap highlights a growing trend of integrating sophisticated AI agents into everyday consumer applications. Much like how AI is revolutionizing financial markets through tools like our own AI-powered crypto trading bots, Amap's "Teacher Xiaogao" demonstrates the potential for AI to enhance user experience and functionality in diverse sectors. The use of Qwen models by Alibaba also underscores the increasing sophistication of AI development in China, aiming to compete on the global stage. This push for AI integration across services, from mapping to finance, signals a significant shift towards more intelligent and personalized digital interactions. ##More to Read: Source: Originally published by South China Morning Post on August 4, 2025.