Alibaba Group Holding, through its Amap unit, launched a new service enabling restaurants to use artificial intelligence to create 3D images of their interiors. This initiative directly challenges Meituan’s dominance in China’s competitive food and local services sector.
The technology utilizes Alibaba's visual Wan model. Merchants generate the 3D renderings by simply uploading videos or photos. This feature aims specifically to lower marketing costs for businesses.
CEO Eddie Wu drives this effort, seeking to integrate AI across all Alibaba businesses to spur new growth. Alibaba will initially offer the tool for free to some businesses, hoping to regain market share in local services and meal delivery. The company previously lost ground to its rival in these areas, signaling a renewed effort to leverage its technological and financial resources.