Facing the AI-driven upgrade race, Meituan finds itself struggling to keep pace.

Reported by Wan Tiannan

Envision a scenario where a user simply murmurs into their phone, "Get me a cup of milk tea." Within a mere 30 seconds, the system automatically identifies top-rated merchants, places an order, processes payment, and dispatches a delivery rider—all without the user having to open any app or sift through countless options. This isn't a glimpse into a distant future; it's set to become a daily reality on January 15, when the Qianwen APP seamlessly integrates with Taobao Flash Sale.

This seemingly minor development heralds a monumental shift: the food delivery sector has stepped into a new era.

Since the inception of food delivery platforms, competition has centered around graphical interfaces, requiring users to actively search, manually filter, and confirm each step. Regardless of efficiency gains, the focus has remained on 'completing operations faster,' rather than 'understanding your true desires.'

Qianwen disrupts this paradigm. Ordering food becomes not only simpler but also smarter; users no longer need to navigate convoluted apps. Just express your needs as if conversing with a friend, and let AI handle the rest.

This transformation isn't merely an upgrade in user experience; it's a generational leap from 'images to language' in product paradigms. While Taobao Flash Sale employs language to comprehend life's nuances, Meituan still relies on buttons to connect services.

I

When Taobao Flash Sale Acquires a 'Brain,' Competitors Are Left with 'Limbs'

Achieving 'speak-and-deliver' functionality necessitates more than isolated features; it demands a fully AI-native architecture. Alibaba, the driving force behind Taobao Flash Sale, possesses this capability: Qianwen (Qwen), one of China's most advanced open-source large models, isn't just an add-on but deeply embedded in Taobao Flash Sale's decision-making core.

From interpreting vague user intents ('a dinner suitable for fitness enthusiasts') to parsing complex orders ('10 iced drinks + 10 sugar-free options') and automatically accessing merchant inventory, addresses, and payment channels—the entire process is AI-driven and seamless. This 'intent-as-a-service' closed loop positions it at the forefront of the era.

Objectively, Meituan lags significantly behind Alibaba in AI large models. As consumption enters the next phase, Meituan may boast powerful 'limbs' (rider networks, ground teams, app reach) but lacks an AI 'brain' to orchestrate them.

Without native large model capabilities, Meituan can only passively respond to user inputs. With Qianwen, Taobao Flash Sale proactively anticipates, coordinates, and executes—a fundamental difference between mere tools and intelligent agents.

Taobao Flash Sale has secured the first pass to the next era.

II

Language: The Gateway to Next-Gen Interaction

Traditionally, platforms vied on 'operational efficiency': faster filtering, simpler checkout, and more prominent discounts. Yet, no matter how optimized, users still performed mechanical actions on screens. The gap between true needs and services persisted.

Natural language interaction finally bridges this divide. Users no longer need to decipher platform features; services shift from passive display to proactive delivery. Even seniors can order meals by speaking; visually impaired users gain access to instant retail; busy professionals can voice-order while driving.

More critically, language conveys intent, not just keywords. When a user says, "Find a quiet Cantonese restaurant with private rooms," the system must recognize 'Cantonese' while understanding implied needs like 'quiet ambiance,' 'private room,' and 'suitable for discussions.' This multidimensional comprehension elevates services to another level.

With Qianwen as the gateway, Taobao Flash Sale enables users to 'be understood,' while competitors still require users to 'operate.'

III

Space + Time + AI = A True Local Life Operating System

More alarmingly, Qianwen doesn't just connect Taobao Flash Sale; it integrates with Alibaba's broader ecosystem, such as Gaode Street Rankings. This means Alibaba controls two pillars of local life: space and time.

Gaode Street Rankings solve 'where to go.' Through its world-first 'flying street view,' users can virtually 'step into' a store before ordering, inspecting environments, private rooms, and foot traffic. Friend dynamics offer trusted endorsements, while seasonal rankings evolve automatically—decisions become unprecedentedly authentic and trustworthy.

Taobao Flash Sale solves 'not wanting to move.' When inclement weather, traffic jams, or laziness strikes, a user can say, "Send it to the office," and the system seamlessly switches to delivery.

Qianwen APP acts as the intelligent hub balancing 'going out' and 'staying in.' It knows you recently navigated past a business district on Gaode, remembers your frequent sweet purchases on Taobao, and senses today's sweltering 38°C heat—then asks, "There's a top-rated ice shop nearby. Dine in or order delivery?"

Unlike Meituan's traditional aggregation of dine-in and delivery in one app, Alibaba uses a single AI gateway to orchestrate 'exploring the world' and 'saving time,' creating a true 'local life operating system.' Anyone who experiences it can't help but be impressed.

IV

Users Seek Not Just Delivery, But a Trustworthy Life Companion

The ultimate impact of this revolution will be a shift in user mindset.

Early in the food delivery wars, users frequently compared prices across platforms, showing little loyalty. But when Taobao Flash Sale transforms into a 'life assistant,' things change. Qianwen APP understands users' lives better than any single app. After addressing queries like "What niche exhibitions are nearby?" or "Where to take parents for a comfortable meal this weekend?" or "Where to spend a weekend with kids?" it naturally grasps needs like "What to eat after abnormal health test results?"

Integrated with services like Taobao Flash Sale, Qianwen APP transcends being a mere tool. Users grow dependent on this 'self-aware' AI partner, treating it as a recurring life gateway rather than a one-time transaction channel.

For competitors, this is the most dangerous signal. Unlike 'use-and-leave' transaction platforms, Taobao Flash Sale has become a 'trustworthy daily life' entry point. Once this deep dependency forms, traditional tactics become obsolete.

As the saying goes: This is no longer a one-dimensional competition.

V

Conclusion: Old Players Are Being Outpaced by New Dimensions

By 2026, local life will officially enter the 'intelligent services' era. Industry focus has shifted from 'subsidy wars' to 'value creation.' Alibaba's true investment isn't 50 billion yuan in coupons but rebuilding service experiences with AI.

Financial reports already confirm the trend: Taobao Flash Sale's non-food categories are growing rapidly, average order values are rising steadily, and unit economics (UE) are improving significantly faster than competitors—proof that 'intelligent value-driven' models are replacing 'scale efficiency-driven' ones.

Meituan's window of opportunity is closing. Without rapidly building equivalent AI-native capabilities, it will lose momentum in this dimensional war. Users don't just want 'cheaper delivery'—they crave an intelligent partner that truly understands and manages their lives. This is the future of local life services that Qianwen APP and Taobao Flash Sale are beginning to define.