Chinese company Alibaba is set to launch a new AI-powered feature to enable restaurants showcase interiors through Amap, its mapping and local-services business.
According to a Bloomberg report, the move is aimed at competing with Meituan, a leader of China’s food delivery market, restaurant bookings and local services market.
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The service would let restaurants create 3D views of their premises by uploading existing photos or short videos, people familiar with the plan told the publication. The purpose is described as reducing the time and expense involved in producing promotional visuals.
The system is built on Alibaba’s visual “Wan” model. Initially, the company may provide access to a limited set of businesses at no cost.
The move comes as Alibaba seeks to increase its market share in areas such as meal delivery and has recently used incentives and subsidies to support key consumer services amid rivalry with Meituan and JD.com.
The pressure from this competition has weighed on margins and has attracted regulatory attention.
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By GlobalDataIn July 2025, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) convened discussions with major online food delivery platforms, including Alibaba-owned Ele.me, Meituan and JD.com, amid continued price-led rivalry in the sector.
According to the South China Morning Post, the regulator urged the companies to compete in a more “rational” manner.
The meeting was described as focusing on oversight of promotional practices, supporting fair competition and fostering market conditions intended to better serve consumers, merchants, delivery riders and the platforms themselves.
The reported Amap project also aligns with chief executive Eddie Wu’s stated aim of applying AI across Alibaba’s operations, similar to efforts underway at other large technology companies, including Google and Tencent.
