Woofun AI reports that WeChat and Alipay have simultaneously launched AI-driven assistants, Xiaowei and Abao, marking a decisive shift from manual navigation to conversational command interfaces within their respective ecosystems. On June 23, WeChat initiated the Grayscale testing phase for Xiaowei, placing an eye-shaped icon on the home screen to enable voice and text commands for messaging, reminders, and mini-program access. Just one week earlier, on June 16, Alipay began beta testing Abao, allowing users to toggle between a classic interface and a dialogue-centric AI version capable of accessing tens of thousands of services. These updates represent a historic transformation for two platforms boasting billions of users each, replacing the traditional search-and-click workflow with natural language interactions that initiate complex tasks through simple conversation.

The strategic imperative behind these launches extends beyond simple API integration; it involves establishing unified protocols that align with the operational logic of AI entities. Industry analysis suggests that success depends on creating an AI-specific translation system for mini-program functions, enabling autonomous control over previously siloed services. This evolution mirrors the competitive dynamics of the mobile payment era, where WeChat Red Packets revolutionized the landscape twelve years ago, sparking a decade-long rivalry over scanning codes, red packets, and offline payments. Now, the battlefield has shifted to AI, with both companies vying to redefine how users access digital services. Time Finance observed that upon accessing the beta, the green eye-shaped icon for Xiaowei appeared in the upper-left corner of the WeChat home screen, accessible via a click or a left-swipe gesture to reveal the dialogue interface.

Xiaowei relies on WeChat's self-developed WeLM model, with some responses processed in collaboration with DeepSeek, representing one of the most significant updates in the platform's history. The assistant enables users to adjust settings, send messages, schedule appointments, order food, search for articles, summarize Moments posts, generate images, and create simple tools. In native function tests, instructing Xiaowei to set a reminder for a live stream at 7 p.m. on Wednesday resulted in the immediate generation of a task. For messaging, users specify the recipient and content, prompting the system to display a confirmation card before execution. The integration of mini-programs is particularly notable; previously, users had to search for services like Meituan through official accounts or recent usage records, but Xiaowei now provides direct links within the dialogue box.

However, the system still faces limitations in handling complex transaction scenarios, indicating a need for further refinement.

Alipay's Abao represents an equally significant rebranding effort, addressing long-standing product development challenges where less than 10% of users utilized the platform's extensive toolset. Li Jun, vice president of Ant Group, previously noted that despite offering numerous services, user engagement remained concentrated on payments, scanning, travel, and finance management. Prior to Abao, Alipay tested an AI intelligent assistant in April 2024 focusing on travel and government services, and launched the independent app Zhi Xiaobao in September 2024, neither of which successfully resolved low usage rates. Abao introduces a switchable interface where a right-swipe gesture reveals a dialogue box alongside an Assets page. Users can submit text or voice requests, such as checking a housing provident fund balance, prompting Abao to automatically match the corresponding service entry. The assistant also handles shipping, taxi hailing, appointments, and account recharging, while the Assets page consolidates scattered entries for balances, bank cards, funds, insurance, Huabei, and credit cards into a clearer layout.

The competition for the "second desktop" is driven by the need to evolve from function-oriented tools to AI-powered assistants, a shift described by Internet analyst Zhang Shule. Both platforms aim to integrate internal and external mini-programs through AI entities, allowing users to complete more tasks via a single interface to prevent traffic loss to competitors. WeChat leverages its social interaction frequency and a massive mini-program ecosystem, with Tencent's first-quarter report for 2026 showing combined monthly active accounts for WeChat and WeChat Pay reaching 1.432 billion as of the end of March. To support Xiaowei, WeChat released developer guidelines on June 8, offering automatic and development modes for integration. Leading platforms including Meituan, JD.com, Trip.com, and Dianwu have already announced participation, signaling that the future scope of Xiaowei depends heavily on the depth of this ecosystem integration. Brands are eager to join, citing access to a large user base and short connection paths as key drivers for selling products, with high-frequency sectors like retail, local services, catering, and e-commerce showing particular interest.

Alipay counters with its own distinct advantages, drawing on a user base of billions, tens of thousands of services accumulated over 22 years, and a vast mini-program ecosystem. Its early investment in payment capabilities has yielded a competitive edge, evidenced by the launch of AI Pay in September 2025. By the Spring Festival of 2026, the number of users adopting this feature exceeded 100 million, and by May of the current year, AI-powered payments surpassed 300 million, supporting 95% of common AI frameworks. Despite these strengths, both Xiaowei and Abao remain in an exploratory stage, functioning as assistants that help users understand needs and initiate processes rather than autonomous agents making decisions. Security remains a paramount concern, particularly in payment scenarios. On June 17, WeChat Pay launched an AI-exclusive card designed for AI-powered transactions, mandating dedicated funds and requiring user confirmation for every transaction. Similarly, Alipay emphasizes that AI only executes actions explicitly agreed to by the user, with all financial changes requiring direct user confirmation.