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Ant Group tests AI version of Alipay under “Bao Plan”

Ant Group tests AI version of Alipay under “Bao Plan”

Alipay’s AI redesign has entered public invitation testing as “Abao,” adding a conversational assistant across tens of thousands of services while keeping payment approval in users’ hands.

Fact Check
Every component of the claim is corroborated by multiple independent sources. The internal codename '宝计划' (Bao Plan) is confirmed by BlockBeats and Sina/LatePost. The AI version named '阿宝' (A Bao) with a one-tap dialogue-driven interface for services and fund management is confirmed by PANews, Sina/IT之家, and Odaily. Invite-only testing with broader access to all users planned later is explicitly stated by PANews. The only minor nuance is that some early reports (Bloomberg, Odaily, June 14) framed it as 'secret testing' with launch date undecided, while the June 16 PANews report describes it as officially launched in invite testing—consistent with rapid progression of the same event rather than a contradiction.
Summary

Ant Group has moved beyond reported internal testing of its AI-focused Alipay overhaul under the codename “Bao Plan” and begun a public invitation test of the new version, now branded around the “Abao” assistant. Alipay said the upgraded app adds conversational services across tens of thousands of adapted services and initially released 100 invitation codes. The new interface is designed to let users access services through dialogue while retaining user control over payment confirmation, an important safeguard in a payments app. Earlier reports said the effort was led by Alipay president Li Jun, would allow users to switch with one tap to a native AI interface for services and fund management, and was planned for frequent product updates. The rollout marks a further step in Ant Group’s push to embed AI directly into its core payments and services platform rather than relying on a separate standalone app.

Terms & Concepts
  • Bao Plan: The reported internal codename for Alipay’s AI-focused redesign project.
  • conversational services: App functions delivered through chat-style interactions rather than traditional menus and buttons.
  • super app: An app that combines multiple everyday services, such as payments and consumer tools, in one platform.