Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba’s international arm launched an updated version of its AI-powered translation tool. The company claims that it is better than the products offered by Google, DeepL, and ChatGPT.
Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group (AIDC) launched this new AI model called Macro MT to support translations in various cross-border e-commerce scenarios and everyday communications. Initially, this AI translation product was initially unveiled a year ago and is claimed to be used by 500,000 merchant users.
Alibaba’s updated AI translation tool
Large language models (LLMs) power AI applications such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which can also translate text. These models are trained on massive amounts of data that can generate human-like responses to user prompts.
Powered by Alibaba’s model Qwen, this tool supports 15 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, and Ukrainian.
Improving communication beyond e-commerce
For merchants, Macro MT can be integrated into systems, managing their products, customer services, and search guidance. The LLM can translate merchant-uploaded product details including descriptions, titles, and image captions into the language of target markets. It translates search keywords and dialogues.
While the initial purpose of Macro MT is to support cross-border e-commerce, its applications go beyond Alibaba’s platforms, including well-known names like AliExpress, Lazada, and Trendyol. The company envisions a future where the tool is available to individuals and businesses outside the e-commerce industry. AIDC intends to offer the Macro MT to provide high-quality translations for everyday use and international trade.
Tackles translation tool limitations
Existing translation tools struggle with complex expressions, cultural nuances, and idiomatic language. Recognising these gaps, Alibaba’s Macro MT outperforms many leading models, especially in handling low-resource languages. Zhang Kaifu, vice president of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group, emphasised its success on the Flores benchmark, a widely recognised standard for evaluating translation models’ accuracy in translating between English and less commonly used languages.
“Macro MT will seamlessly integrate into Alibaba International’s overarching business strategies, fortifying the operational backbone of our diverse cross-border e-commerce platforms,” said Zhang. This means that the model will assist with translating product titles, descriptions, image captions, and keywords, making it easier for buyers and sellers to communicate effectively across different languages.
Aims for global reach
Macro MT is more than just an internal tool for Alibaba. The company aims to make it accessible worldwide, serving individuals, small businesses, and enterprises beyond e-commerce. Aligning with Alibaba’s AI strategy, Macro MT focuses on improving content creation, customer service, and global communication, helping businesses overcome language barriers and supporting seamless international interactions across a growing list of languages.
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