TLDR:
- Alibaba’s international arm launched an updated AI translation tool
- The tool claims to outperform Google, DeepL, and ChatGPT
- It supports 15 languages and is based on large language models
- The tool aims to help merchants improve their bottom line
- It has been used for over 100 million product listings since last fall
Alibaba’s international arm has introduced an updated version of its artificial intelligence-powered translation tool, Marco MT, which it claims surpasses the capabilities of Google, DeepL, and ChatGPT.
The tool, designed to support e-commerce merchants in expanding their global reach, is based on large language models and supports 15 languages.
The new version of Marco MT was launched on Wednesday, building upon the success of its predecessor released about a year ago. The original tool has already gained 500,000 merchant users and has been utilized for more than 100 million product listings. This updated version aims to provide more accurate and contextually appropriate translations, potentially boosting sales for international merchants.
Kaifu Zhang, vice president of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group and head of the business’ artificial intelligence initiative, explained that the tool is designed to improve merchants’ bottom line. “The idea is that we want this AI tool to help the bottom line of the merchants, because if the merchants are doing well, the platform will be doing well,” Zhang stated in an interview with CNBC.
The Marco MT tool supports a wide range of languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, and Ukrainian. This broad language support allows merchants to create product pages in the native language of their target markets, potentially increasing their appeal to international customers.
One of the key features of the new Marco MT is its ability to understand and translate contextual clues, including culture-specific and industry-specific terms. This capability is made possible by the use of large language models, similar to those powering AI applications like ChatGPT. Alibaba’s translation tool is based on its own model called Qwen.
Zhang anticipates significant demand for the tool from Europe and the Americas, as well as emerging markets. He noted that when users of Alibaba.com are categorized by country, developing countries account for about half of the top 20 active AI tool users.
The launch of this advanced translation tool comes as Chinese companies increasingly look abroad for growth opportunities. With competitors like PDD Holdings’ Temu, Shein, and ByteDance’s TikTok entering global markets, Alibaba’s international arm is positioning itself to support merchants in their overseas expansion efforts.
The pricing structure for the updated version of Marco MT has not been disclosed, but Zhang mentioned that it is included in some service bundles for merchants seeking simple exposure to overseas users.
The tool is expected to enhance the shopping experience for consumers during Alibaba’s annual Double 11 shopping festival, which centers around November 11th.
Alibaba’s international business, which includes platforms such as AliExpress and Lazada, has shown strong growth.
In the quarter ended June, the international unit reported sales growth of 32% to $4.03 billion compared to the previous year. This growth contrasts with a 1% year-on-year drop in sales for Alibaba’s main Taobao and Tmall e-commerce business, which primarily focuses on the Chinese market.
