## Alibaba International Spotlights Future of E-commerce at Global Challenge Finals
**Hangzhou, China – September 4, 2024** – Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group concluded its highly anticipated Global E-commerce Challenge (GEC) 2024 today, with a vibrant finals event in Hangzhou, China, celebrating the innovative spirit of young talent poised to redefine the online retail landscape. This year’s competition zeroed in on the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) in e-commerce, tasking university students and recent graduates with developing next-generation solutions.
Since its inception in 2021, the GEC has served as a critical platform for identifying and nurturing emerging leaders in the digital commerce space. The 2024 iteration challenged participants to tackle pressing issues in online shopping, from enhancing personalized customer experiences and revolutionizing visual and voice search functionalities to streamlining cross-border transactions. Throughout the competition, finalists received invaluable mentorship from Alibaba International’s AI experts, gaining deep insights into the company’s cutting-edge AI initiatives and the intricate workings of real-world e-commerce operations.
The 2024 competition garnered significant global interest, attracting over 1,000 participants organized into more than 500 teams from regions spanning Europe, the Americas, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. Following a demanding two-stage selection process, 11 outstanding teams, comprising 39 individuals, advanced to the global finals in Hangzhou. These finalists presented their AI-driven strategies to a distinguished panel of judges, including Kaifu Zhang, Vice President of Alibaba International, who spearheads the company’s AI endeavors; Lillian Jiang, Chief People Officer of Alibaba International; Carlos Barrera, CEO of Lazada Philippines; Ying Peng, General Manager of AliExpress; and Jin Qin, Investment Director at Alibaba International.
The evaluation criteria underscored the multifaceted nature of modern e-commerce innovation, with a strong emphasis on AI-driven concepts. Judging was based on AI-Driven Innovation (25%), AI Integration Capability (20%), Technical Execution (20%), Consumer Experience (25%), and Presentation Quality (10%). Team CrashCourse from Singapore Management University clinched the top prize for their novel approach and exceptional collaboration, earning travel vouchers valued at $10,000. The second and third places were awarded to Team The Echelon Group (Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland, College Park) and Team Saturdays (Bandung Institute of Technology), respectively, who received travel vouchers worth $5,000 and $3,000. Further underscoring its commitment to fostering talent, Alibaba International extended internship offers to all finalists.
“The GEC 2024 has truly illuminated the extraordinary potential residing within today’s youth,” remarked Kaifu Zhang, Vice President of Alibaba International. “Their innovative AI solutions hold the key to revolutionizing the future of e-commerce, and it was inspiring to witness their dynamism and technical acumen firsthand here in Hangzhou.”
Zane Chee from the victorious Team CrashCourse shared the team’s excitement: “Presenting our ideas to such esteemed industry leaders through the GEC 2024 was an unparalleled experience. It not only challenged us to push our limits but also provided profound insights into the digital commerce landscape. Winning this challenge is a humbling honor, and we are eager to apply our learnings to drive meaningful innovation within the e-commerce sector.”
The GEC 2024 culminated in an awards ceremony, where Alibaba International formally welcomed the winning teams as future interns, signaling a direct pathway from competition to professional engagement.
Sheryl Ho, Project Manager for Alibaba International GEC 2024, expressed her satisfaction: “We are immensely proud to contribute to the development of the next generation of global e-commerce leaders through this international competition. The dedication and teamwork demonstrated by all participants have been truly inspiring. We eagerly anticipate welcoming some of these bright minds as interns and are confident they will make significant contributions to the e-commerce industry.”
The impact of the GEC extends beyond the competition itself, fostering a pipeline of talent. Melissa, a French student from Peking University who interned with Alibaba International after participating in a previous GEC, noted, “My internship journey has been incredibly enriching, deepening my understanding of the Chinese market and significantly enhancing my professional skill set, particularly in areas like competitor analysis, data interpretation, cross-team collaboration, and problem-solving.”
**About Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group**
Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group is committed to advancing global digital trade through AI-powered technology. The group operates a diverse portfolio of platforms, each with distinct business models, serving a wide array of countries and regions worldwide.
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