This AI assistant will remind you of Iron Man's Jarvis
What's the story
Ant Group, a financial technology subsidiary of Alibaba Group Holding, has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) app in China, that is drawing parallels with Jarvis from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
The app, named Zhixiaobao, functions as a life assistant and is designed to simplify tasks such as meal ordering, taxi hailing, ticket booking, and exploring local dining and entertainment options.
App capabilities
A step toward practical AI solutions
Zhixiaobao also offers access to third-party services on Alipay, Ant Group's payment platform.
The app includes several built-in AI agents with specialized knowledge in areas such as English language tutoring and fitness.
This initiative is part of Ant Group's strategy to transform AI into a "practical, user-focused solution," according to company president and CFO Cyril Han Xinyi.
Future plans
Ant Group's vision for Zhixiaobao
Han Xinyi envisions Zhixiaobao as a "valuable tool in everyday life."
The company aims to make the app an integral part of users' daily routines by continually enhancing its capabilities.
This vision aligns with Ant Group's broader strategy of leveraging AI technology to create practical solutions that cater to specific user needs and preferences.
Usage
It offers access to 8,000+ services
Users of Zhixiaobao can tap into over 8,000 digital life services, and more than four million mini-apps offered by Alipay. This makes it useful for almost all online functions in the Chinese mainland.