Taobao and Tmall Introduce AI Video Tool for Merchants Ahead of 618 Sale
Alibaba's e-commerce platforms Taobao and Tmall have unveiled a new artificial intelligence tool designed to help merchants create promotional content more efficiently. The "Image to Video" feature allows sellers to automatically generate short videos simply by uploading product photos, marking a significant upgrade in digital marketing capabilities for small and medium-sized businesses.
The timing coincides with preparations for China's annual 618 Grand Promotion, one of the country's biggest shopping festivals. During this period, all Taobao and Tmall merchants will receive 30 free video generations per day through the QianNiu Workbench platform. Early adopters report saving over 1,000 yuan monthly while cutting production timelines by more than 10 days per project.
Beyond basic video creation, Taobao simultaneously introduced complementary AI tools:
- "Script to Final Cut": Automatically generates editable scripts and storyboards using trending content from across the web
- "Outfit Video": Enables clothing merchants to mix-and-match garments with virtual models and backgrounds
Fashion brands have been particularly enthusiastic about these innovations. "The AI tools don't just save time - they produce broadcast-quality materials we can use immediately," noted one apparel company's visual design manager.
The 2025 Tmall 618 Shopping Festival kicks off May 16th with an 8 PM presale event. This year's campaign emphasizes simplified "official discounts" alongside technological enhancements for merchant operations.
Key Points
- New AI "Image to Video" feature converts product photos into 20-second promotional clips
- Merchants can generate up to 30 free videos daily during the 618 promotion period
- Tools reportedly reduce production costs by ¥1,000+ monthly per merchant
- Additional AI functions include automated scriptwriting and virtual outfit demonstrations
- Updates align with Tmall's simplified discount strategy for the 2025 shopping festival
