Alibaba Group Holding's global wholesale marketplace, serving more than 200,000 merchants, has launched a new artificial intelligence search tool to improve cross-border trade efficiency, reports Hong Kong's South China Morning Post.

The platform, Alibaba.com, introduced "AI Mode" within its search engine to help global users find products more reliably. Zhang Kuo, president of the platform, said the tool generates tailored results and recommendations through natural language queries.

The AI system can automatically compare suppliers in minutes using metrics such as price and production capabilities, then provide clear recommendations.

Mr Zhang told the Post that before the introduction of AI, sourcing was a tedious process that often took days or weeks to complete.