As AI large models step into the 'year of application,' key industry players are pivoting from 'parameter wars' to 'implementation battles.'

Ant Group's newly introduced AI health assistant, 'Ant Afu,' has swiftly captured attention, boasting 15 million monthly active users.

Yet, amid the looming threat of versatile large models like Doubao and DeepSeek, which aspire to 'rule the roost,' and the persistent 'privacy concerns' arising from Ant Group's financial roots, this venture is fraught with risk.

Is Ant Afu merely a passing 'fad,' or can it evolve into a lasting 'essential'? The answer hinges on its capacity to surmount three pivotal hurdles.

First Challenge: Specialized Expertise vs. Universal Appeal

—Is AI a 'Knowledge Encyclopedia' or a 'Health Steward'?

Currently, user enthusiasm for AI is showing signs of diminishing returns.

For straightforward inquiries like 'What medication should I take for a cold?', DeepSeek's analytical prowess and Doubao's extensive knowledge base suffice.

To thrive, Ant Afu must demonstrate that it's more than just a 'chatbot with medical knowledge.'

Fulfillment Closed-Loop as a Competitive Edge:

The endgame for general-purpose AI is 'providing answers,' whereas for healthcare, it's 'diagnosis and treatment.'

Ant Afu's strength lies in the Alipay ecosystem—booking appointments, processing medical insurance payments, and purchasing medications online. This end-to-end capability, from consultation to offline services, creates an ecological moat that pure tech-driven large models find hard to breach.

Data Assets as a Sticky Factor:

General-purpose AI is often seen as 'disposable.'

Ant Afu, however, encourages users to upload medical reports and connect smart devices. When users entrust Ant Afu with their blood pressure trends, allergy histories, and family medical records, it transforms into a 'digital health vault.'

The higher the cost of switching, the more stable user retention becomes.

Second Challenge: Financial Backing vs. Privacy Apprehensions

—Is Data a 'Secure Foundation' or a 'Time Bomb for Premium Setting'?

Ant Group's core business is finance, placing Ant Afu in a quandary: while financial-grade security technology is a boon, the profit-driven nature of financial services raises user skepticism.

The 'Privacy Computing' Conundrum:

Despite Ant's use of TEE (Trusted Execution Environment) and federated learning, emphasizing that data is 'usable but not visible,' users remain cautious: Could my medical data be covertly shared with insurance services to adjust premiums or deny claims?

Regulatory Red Lines:

Medical data is highly sensitive. Ant must erect an impenetrable 'data firewall' internally. If it fails to completely decouple 'health data' from 'credit assessment/insurance pricing' in both systems and brand perception, user trust could erode rapidly.

Third Challenge: Low-Frequency Dilemma vs. Pseudo-Demand Pitfall

—Can 'Companionship' Sustain a Business Model?

Healthcare is inherently a low-frequency domain.

Healthy individuals won't consult 'Afu' daily, while those with severe conditions will seek treatment at top-tier hospitals.

Attempts to Shift from Low to High Frequency:

Afu aims to foster high-frequency interactions through 'health companionship,' chronic disease management, and elderly care.

However, the current challenge is that AI recommendations often lean towards being 'cautious and vague' (e.g., 'Consult a doctor'). Can such 'accurate but unhelpful' advice maintain long-term user engagement?

Commercialization Ceiling:

As a versatile tool, Afu's current monetization strategies are unclear.

Will it rely on medication sales commissions or insurance referrals? If it fails to establish a sustainable business closed loop after 2025, it may ultimately become a low-activity feature within the Alipay app rather than an independent powerhouse.

Conclusion

The advent of Ant Afu essentially signifies a strategic leap by major players amidst 'AI anxiety.'

If the future of AI is 'brains,' general-purpose large models will dominate. If the future of AI is 'hands' (to execute tasks and bridge offline services), vertical apps like Afu still have a fighting chance.

Also, ponder this: If Alipay eventually incorporates a 'medical large model' directly into its search bar, do you think Afu would still warrant existence as a standalone app or channel?