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Alipay's AI Assistant Now Lets You 'Fish' at Work—And It's Actually Productive

Alipay's AI Assistant Now Lets You 'Fish' at Work—And It's Actually Productive

Remember when your only excuse for staring blankly at your screen was 'I'm just taking a break'? Alipay's AI assistant, Abao, is giving that excuse a serious upgrade. The company just launched 'Yulai'—a whimsical AI system that turns fragmented breaks into a structured, fish-themed ritual.

What Exactly Is 'Yulai'?

Think of it as a digital fish pond for your workday. Abao initially released 500 virtual fish into the wild. To summon one, you simply say 'Yulai' to Abao. The AI then randomly picks a fish for you—your 'destined fish'—and you can set daily reminders to take a break with it.

The whole process takes three steps:

  1. Give Abao a command (e.g., 'Remind me to take a break at 2 PM every day').
  2. Name your task and enable notifications.
  3. Wait for the daily nudge—and enjoy your fishy companion.

It's like having a goldfish that actually reminds you to step away from the screen instead of just swimming in circles.

From Coffee Alarms to Fish Therapy

Abao has already introduced asynchronous task features like scheduled coffee and ride-hailing reminders. But 'Yulai' goes a step further—it shifts from task management to status management. The Abao team noticed that work breaks are often unstructured: you open a website, scroll through your phone, or just zone out. No plan, no rhythm. 'Yulai' aims to reorganize those scattered moments, making each short break part of your work rhythm.

One-time setup, long-term assistance. It's not just an efficiency tool—it's a digital nod to the 'right to rest' that office workers so desperately need.

Why It Matters

In a world where 'busy' is a badge of honor, taking a break can feel like slacking. 'Yulai' flips that script. By gamifying rest with a random fish, it turns downtime into something you actually look forward to. Plus, it's a gentle reminder that your brain needs a breather—not just for productivity, but for sanity.

The feature is now live within Alipay. Just swipe right to give it a try. Who knew that 'fishing' at work could be so beneficial?

Key Points

  • Abao's new 'Yulai' system lets users summon a virtual fish and set daily break reminders.
  • Three-step setup: command, name, notify.
  • Shifts from task management to status management, structuring fragmented breaks.
  • Available now in Alipay—swipe right to experience it.
  • A playful take on the 'right to rest' for office workers.