Alibaba Partners with AI Start-ups to Enhance DingTalk's Features

Alibaba Partners with AI Start-ups to Enhance DingTalk's Features

Alibaba Group Holding is making moves to revolutionize workplace messaging with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) start-ups. DingTalk, the workplace messaging platform owned by Alibaba, is partnering with six Chinese AI start-ups to expand its generative AI features. This collaboration aims to give DingTalk an advantage in the increasingly competitive market, where rivals like Tencent Holdings' WeCom and ByteDance’s Feishu are also incorporating AI models into their products.

Alibaba’s decision to partner with these AI start-ups aligns with its overall business strategy of making AI the core of its operations. By leveraging the expertise of MiniMax, Moonshot AI, Orionstar, Baichuan, Zhipu Ai, and 01.AI, DingTalk plans to develop new AI functions that will enhance the user experience for its over 700 million users.

Each of these AI start-ups brings unique capabilities to the table. Baichuan, Zhipu AI, Moonshot AI, and MiniMax are known locally as the “four new AI tigers” and are leading players in China’s AI race. Additionally, 01.AI, founded by venture capitalist and former president of Google China, Lee Kai-fu, runs the open-source AI model Yi. Lastly, OrionStar, established in 2016, has already made waves in the industry with its medium-scale model Orion-14B.

By combining the strengths of these various models, DingTalk aims to offer a variety of industry-specific and client-customized solutions to its users. For example, the platform is working with Moonshot AI to explore the application of AI’s long-text processing and generative capabilities in educational scenarios. DingTalk also plans to enhance its AI agent feature, which helps users streamline their workflow by completing specific tasks.

DingTalk’s integration of AI features has already seen success, with 500,000 customized AI agents created on the platform by the end of May. These agents were designed to assist users in their daily tasks and improve productivity. With the addition of the AI capabilities of its start-up partners, DingTalk hopes to further expand the functionality and value it provides to its users.

Furthermore, the partnership between Alibaba and these AI start-ups is mutually beneficial. Through DingTalk, these start-ups can introduce their AI products to a larger user base, as DingTalk currently boasts the largest number of users among all workplace communication tools in China. This collaboration will undoubtedly give these start-ups a significant boost in exposure and market reach.

Overall, Alibaba’s partnership with top AI start-ups to enhance DingTalk’s AI capabilities demonstrates the company’s commitment to staying on the cutting edge of technology. By incorporating some of the best AI models into its workplace messaging platform, Alibaba aims to provide a superior user experience while solidifying its position in the competitive market. As AI continues to revolutionize various industries, Alibaba’s efforts to leverage this technology will undoubtedly pay off in the long run.


Written By

Jiri Bílek

In the vast realm of AI and U.N. directives, Jiri crafts tales that bridge tech divides. With every word, he champions a world where machines serve all, harmoniously.