Alibaba upgrades Qwen app to execute tasks like ordering food

Alibaba is launching significant upgrades to its Qwen AI app that enable users to execute tasks like ordering food and booking travel directly within the chat interface. The update integrates core ecosystem services such as Alipay and Taobao, marking a strategic pivot toward consumer-facing AI agents capable of performing real-world actions. The company reports that the app now surpasses 100 million monthly active users as it intensifies competition with domestic rivals like ByteDance and Tencent.