Latest news with #AQ
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Ant Group's AI Healthcare Manager AQ Hits 100 Million Users, Accelerating Tech Inclusion Through AI-Powered Innovations
HANGZHOU, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ant Group's AI healthcare manager, AQ, which officially launched in June 2025, has gained 100 million users following public testing that began in September 2024. Designed to support users in managing their daily healthcare needs, AQ offers more than 100 AI-powered services, including doctor recommendations, medical report analysis, and personalized health advice. AQ also connects users to over 5,000 hospitals, nearly 1 million doctors, and 269 AI Doctor Agents co-developed with top physicians in China. This milestone marks a significant step in Ant Group's expansion into healthcare, building on over a decade of experience supporting the digital transformation of China's healthcare sector. 'Ant Group is committed to making technology more inclusive for everyone,' said Cyril Han, CEO of Ant Group. 'In the age of Artificial General Intelligence, Ant Group will focus on AI applications, driving breakthroughs to improve the daily lives for communities.' Since the launch of its 'AI First' strategy in 2023, Ant Group has focused its AI R&D on three core areas: healthcare, finance, and everyday services. According to Ant Group's 2024 Sustainability Report, the company has increased R&D investment for four consecutive years since 2021, reaching a record high of RMB 23.45 billion (~USD 3.26 billion) in 2024 — a 10.7% year-over-year increase. In April 2025, Alipay unveiled its Model Context Protocol (MCP) payment server, enabling merchants and developers to use natural language to access Alipay payment services through their preferred MCP clients or AI agents. In March 2025, Ant Group introduced major upgrades to its full-suite AI healthcare solutions. In collaboration with industry partners, Ant Group integrated its healthcare large model with a range of All-in-One Large Model Machines for Healthcare, which are now being adopted by leading hospitals across China. Its AI Doctor Assistant also received major updates to support advanced medical research. Through ongoing innovation, Ant Group is expanding the use of AI and emerging technologies to broaden access to digital services and support greater technology inclusion. About Ant Group Ant Group is a global digital technology provider and the operator of Alipay, a leading internet services platform in China, connecting over one billion users to more than 10,000 types of consumer services from partners. Through innovative products and solutions powered by AI, blockchain and other technologies, Ant Group supports partners across industries to thrive through digital transformation in an ecosystem for inclusive and sustainable development. For more information, visit
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How's Your AQ? Why Adaptive Intelligence Is Key For Managers
If IQ reflects reasoning ability and EQ captures emotional insight, AQ is the capacity to adapt when ... More reality fails to align with our expectations. In a world where change is the only constant, our greatest risk isn't ignorance — it's certainty. Executives often pride themselves on their ability to recognize patterns and make quick decisions, grounded in hard-earned expertise. This may be valid in stable environments, but when the ground shifts — through technological disruption, changing consumer behavior or global shocks — those once-reliable patterns can quickly become traps. Faced with this dilemma, people often double down on past strategies precisely when they should be reexamining their long-held assumptions. Mental models — the internal maps we use to make sense of how the world works — can start acting as blinders rather than guides. This dynamic shows up across all types of organizations. But in the family-owned firms I work with and study, where identity, legacy and deep emotional ties run deep, the pressure to preserve tradition can make strategic shifts even more challenging. This is where adaptive intelligence (AQ) becomes essential. What is AQ? If IQ reflects reasoning ability and EQ captures emotional insight, AQ is the capacity to adapt when reality fails to align with our expectations. It enables us to detect when our assumptions, habits and beliefs are obsolete and update them accordingly. AQ helps us unlearn what no longer serves us and remain open to learning in real time. In the context of family business, this ability is vital. The stronger the legacy, the easier it is to become overconfident. And the longer a playbook has delivered success, the harder it is to discern when it's time for a rewrite. When traditions become barriers Our brains are built for stability. We seek predictability and use mental shortcuts to make decisions quickly. These shortcuts are efficient but naturally conservative. Once we develop a mental model — about a customer, a strategy or a market — we tend to ignore data that doesn't fit. Sometimes we even distort the information to confirm what we already believe. That's confirmation bias. In family firms, this tendency is frequently intensified by emotional attachment to the past. Narratives like 'this is how my father ran the business' or 'we've always done it this way' can create a sense of consistency, but they can also evolve into unexamined rules that limit innovation. The cost of certainty Consider a second-generation industrial firm built on product quality and long-term supplier relationships. This approach worked well for decades, yet as customer expectations shifted toward speed, digital convenience and sustainability, the leadership continued to lean on its traditional strengths. Younger family members pushed for change, but senior leaders dismissed their warnings. 'Our clients value relationships,' they insisted. 'They trust us.' By the time the higher-ups recognized the shift, more agile competitors had taken the lead. Their brand had lost relevance — not because they lacked effort or talent, but because they failed to question an outdated mental model. Building adaptive intelligence in your company The good news is that AQ can be developed. It's not a fixed trait but rather a mindset and set of skills that any business leader, regardless of the type of company, can cultivate. 1. Make the invisible visible Adaptability starts with metacognition — the ability to reflect on how we think. Ask yourself: What assumptions are shaping our decisions? Which beliefs are we treating as facts? What 'truths' might no longer hold? Family firms often operate under invisible rules around loyalty, authority and risk. By making these rules explicit, the leaders of family-owned firms are able to question whether they still support organizational strategy. 2. Practice intellectual humility AQ hinges on the willingness to admit, 'I might be wrong.' This humility must be modeled by leaders at all levels, particularly those with the most experience. Encourage open questions and respectful disagreement. Make it safe to challenge long-standing views — not to undermine tradition, but to ensure the company stays relevant. 3. Run 'what if' scenarios together Ask yourself tough, forward-thinking questions: What if our flagship product becomes obsolete? What if a digital disruptor enters our market? What if key family members clash over the future direction of the firm? These scenarios are not predictions: they're exercises. The goal is to stress-test your assumptions and prime your mindset for the unexpected. Simply discussing these possibilities together across generations and roles can reveal blind spots and highlight mental models that need updating. In many family firms, these conversations only happen when a crisis arises. Establishing the habit earlier sharpens your adaptive intelligence before you need it most. 4. Design for diversity Firms can unintentionally become echo chambers, especially when leadership is drawn from a narrow pool, as is the case with some family firms. To break this cycle, bring in non-family executives, appoint independent board members and encourage next-generation family members to gain experience in other industries and cultures. AQ thrives when we are exposed to different ways of thinking. 5. Redefine failure and success In many family businesses, failure is often seen as personal, like a stain on the family's reputation. But when mistakes are punished or hidden, innovation stops in its tracks. Instead, reframe failure as part of the learning process. Celebrate thoughtful risks and create space to share what didn't work, what surprised you and what was learned. AQ as a legacy skill The most enduring family businesses pass down more than equity and ancestry — they pass down a mindset, a commitment to adapt, to stay alert and to lead with both curiosity and conviction. Adaptive intelligence may not show up on a balance sheet, but it could be your most valuable asset. It safeguards against complacency and ensures that your legacy stays dynamic and relevant. Unlike your founding year or family name, AQ is something every generation must earn — by staying open to growth. By Álvaro San Martín, Chair of Family-Owned Business and professor in the Department of Managing People in Organizations of IESE Business School.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ant Group introduces AI app for entry into healthcare sector
Global digital technology provider Ant Group has introduced its AI application, AQ, for accelerating its entry into the healthcare sector. The app is designed to streamline users' daily healthcare management by offering more than 100 AI-driven services, encompassing doctor recommendations, medical report assessment, and tailored medical advice. It facilitates connections between users and digital offerings from over 5,000 hospitals and close to a million doctors throughout China. Ant Group CEO Cyril Han said: 'Ant Group hopes that through AQ, it can provide everyone with a trusted healthcare manager, advancing inclusive healthcare and bringing every Chinese citizen one step closer to a healthier life.' Driven by Ant Group's Healthcare Large Model, AQ draws on more than ten years of healthcare expertise. This model features advanced medical reasoning and multimodal interaction capabilities while prioritising user privacy and security. The Healthcare Large Model enables medical institutions and doctors to deliver more efficient, accessible, and tailored services. In March 2025, Ant Group furthered its commitment by partnering with IT industry leaders to integrate the Healthcare Large Model into All-in-One Large Model Machines for Healthcare, allowing hospitals to deploy AI models securely on-premises. Ant Group's contributions extend to assisting hospitals in creating user-facing applications. For instance, Angel, an AI agent developed in Zhejiang Province, has already catered to more than 1,000 medical facilities and managed over 50 million user interactions. The company also aids in the development of Yibaoer, an AI agent for medical insurance inquiries. In January 2025, Ant Group acquired Haodf, enhancing its healthcare offerings with the AI Doctor Assistant, which aids in AI-assisted diagnosis and patient education. Additionally, around 200 doctors are collaborating with Ant Group to develop AI Doctor Agents, providing healthcare advice to patients, especially those with limited medical access. "Ant Group introduces AI app for entry into healthcare sector" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Upturn
27-06-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Ant Group Launches AI Healthcare App AQ Amid Push into Healthcare Sector
By Business Wire India Published on June 27, 2025, 11:12 IST Hangzhou, China: Digital leader aims to capture rising cross-generational demand for public and private healthcare services amid demographic shift and urbanization trends. The launch of AQ enhances Ant Group's comprehensive suite of AI solutions for healthcare, enabling medical institutions and doctors to offer more efficient, accessible, and personalized services. Ant Group today launched its AI healthcare app, AQ, to accelerate the company's entry into the healthcare sector. The app helps users manage their daily healthcare needs with over 100 AI-powered services, including doctor recommendations, medical report analysis, and personalized medical advice. It also connects users to digital services from over 5,000 hospitals and nearly 1 million doctors across China. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Ant Group launched the AI healthcare app AQ to accelerate its entry into the healthcare sector By around 2035, over 400 million people, or more than 30% of China's population, will be aged 60 or older, according to projections from China's National Health Commission. This demographic shift is expected to significantly increase healthcare demand in the country. 'Ant Group hopes that through AQ, it can provide everyone with a trusted healthcare manager, advancing inclusive healthcare and bringing every Chinese citizen one step closer to a healthier life,' said Cyril Han, CEO of Ant Group. The AQ app is powered by Ant Group's Healthcare Large Model, which draws on over a decade of expertise in the healthcare sector. Since 2014, when Ant Group launched its first online hospital appointment-making service on the flagship Alipay digital platform, the company has been supporting the digital and intelligent transformation of China's healthcare industry. The Healthcare Large Model, equipped with advanced medical reasoning and multimodal interaction capabilities, has consistently ranked in first place in the HealthBench and MedBench evaluations. Furthermore, it leverages Ant Group's leading privacy and security technologies to ensure a safe and reliable experience. Through this model, Ant Group is empowering medical institutions and doctors to offer more efficient, accessible, and personalized services to users with AI-enabled solutions. Empowering Medical Institutions with Secure and Efficient AI Integration Healthcare Large Model Integration In March 2025, Ant Group collaborated with IT industry leaders to integrate its advanced healthcare large model into various types of All-in-One Large Model Machine for Healthcare. This solution allows hospitals to deploy AI models on-premises, ensuring efficient and secure use of AI to optimize daily operations and improve patient services. AI Assistant for Hospital Services Ant Group is also helping hospitals develop user-facing applications. Angel, an AI agent developed in collaboration with public medical institutions in China's Zhejiang Province, has served over 1,000 medical facilities, handling more than 50 million user interactions. AI Medical Insurance Assistant Additionally, Ant Group has supported local basic medical insurance institutions across China in developing Yibaoer, an AI agent designed to assist users with medical insurance-related inquiries. AI-Assisted Diagnosis and Patient Education: Extending Doctor Capabilities Beyond Time and Place Constraints AI Doctor Assistant In January 2025, Ant Group completed the acquisition of Haodf, a leading healthcare platform specializing in online doctor consultations. Together, the two sides launched the AI Doctor Assistant, which supports doctors with AI-assisted diagnosis, medical record management, and patient education. AI Doctor Agents Ant Group is also collaborating with nearly 200 prominent doctors in China to develop AI Doctor Agents that provide patients with credible, authoritative healthcare advice and medical guidance. This initiative not only empowers individuals to maintain better health but also supports those with limited access to medical resources, ensuring timely, expert care when it's needed most. Through these ongoing initiatives, Ant Group is contributing to the more efficient use of limited medical resources, with the aim of supporting greater medical inclusion. About Alipay As the world becomes increasingly digital, Alipay has evolved from a trusted e-wallet into an all-in-one digital platform for daily services, connecting more than one billion consumers to over 80 million merchants across China. Alipay offers users a secure, seamless mobile payment experience and integrates over 10,000 services across sectors like travel, healthcare, tourism, and entertainment. With digital tools like Alipay Tap!, mini-programs, lifestyle accounts, Alipay enables merchants, institutions, and independent software vendors (ISVs) to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness. In addition, Alipay is developing a new AI-driven open platform by integrating AI agents to deliver smarter, more personalized services to its users as well as facilitating the digital transformation of the service sector. About Ant Group Ant Group is a global digital technology provider and the operator of Alipay, a leading internet services platform in China, connecting over one billion users to more than 10,000 types of consumer services from partners. Through innovative products and solutions powered by AI, blockchain and other technologies, Ant Group supports partners across industries to thrive through digital transformation in an ecosystem for inclusive and sustainable development. For more information, visit View source version on Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Business Wire India, established in 2002, India's premier media distribution company ensures guaranteed media coverage through its network of 30+ cities and top news agencies.
Business Wire
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Ant Group Launches AI Healthcare App AQ Amid Push into Healthcare Sector
BUSINESS WIRE)--Ant Group today launched its AI healthcare app, AQ, to accelerate the company's entry into the healthcare sector. The app helps users manage their daily healthcare needs with over 100 AI-powered services, including doctor recommendations, medical report analysis, and personalized medical advice. It also connects users to digital services from over 5,000 hospitals and nearly 1 million doctors across China. By around 2035, over 400 million people, or more than 30% of China's population, will be aged 60 or older, according to projections from China's National Health Commission. This demographic shift is expected to significantly increase healthcare demand in the country. 'Ant Group hopes that through AQ, it can provide everyone with a trusted healthcare manager, advancing inclusive healthcare and bringing every Chinese citizen one step closer to a healthier life,' said Cyril Han, CEO of Ant Group. The AQ app is powered by Ant Group's Healthcare Large Model, which draws on over a decade of expertise in the healthcare sector. Since 2014, when Ant Group launched its first online hospital appointment-making service on the flagship Alipay digital platform, the company has been supporting the digital and intelligent transformation of China's healthcare industry. The Healthcare Large Model, equipped with advanced medical reasoning and multimodal interaction capabilities, has consistently ranked in first place in the HealthBench and MedBench evaluations. Furthermore, it leverages Ant Group's leading privacy and security technologies to ensure a safe and reliable experience. Through this model, Ant Group is empowering medical institutions and doctors to offer more efficient, accessible, and personalized services to users with AI-enabled solutions. Empowering Medical Institutions with Secure and Efficient AI Integration Healthcare Large Model Integration In March 2025, Ant Group collaborated with IT industry leaders to integrate its advanced healthcare large model into various types of All-in-One Large Model Machine for Healthcare. This solution allows hospitals to deploy AI models on-premises, ensuring efficient and secure use of AI to optimize daily operations and improve patient services. AI Assistant for Hospital Services Ant Group is also helping hospitals develop user-facing applications. Angel, an AI agent developed in collaboration with public medical institutions in China's Zhejiang Province, has served over 1,000 medical facilities, handling more than 50 million user interactions. AI Medical Insurance Assistant Additionally, Ant Group has supported local basic medical insurance institutions across China in developing Yibaoer, an AI agent designed to assist users with medical insurance-related inquiries. AI-Assisted Diagnosis and Patient Education: Extending Doctor Capabilities Beyond Time and Place Constraints AI Doctor Assistant In January 2025, Ant Group completed the acquisition of Haodf, a leading healthcare platform specializing in online doctor consultations. Together, the two sides launched the AI Doctor Assistant, which supports doctors with AI-assisted diagnosis, medical record management, and patient education. AI Doctor Agents Ant Group is also collaborating with nearly 200 prominent doctors in China to develop AI Doctor Agents that provide patients with credible, authoritative healthcare advice and medical guidance. This initiative not only empowers individuals to maintain better health but also supports those with limited access to medical resources, ensuring timely, expert care when it's needed most. Through these ongoing initiatives, Ant Group is contributing to the more efficient use of limited medical resources, with the aim of supporting greater medical inclusion. About Alipay As the world becomes increasingly digital, Alipay has evolved from a trusted e-wallet into an all-in-one digital platform for daily services, connecting more than one billion consumers to over 80 million merchants across China. Alipay offers users a secure, seamless mobile payment experience and integrates over 10,000 services across sectors like travel, healthcare, tourism, and entertainment. With digital tools like Alipay Tap!, mini-programs, lifestyle accounts, Alipay enables merchants, institutions, and independent software vendors (ISVs) to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness. In addition, Alipay is developing a new AI-driven open platform by integrating AI agents to deliver smarter, more personalized services to its users as well as facilitating the digital transformation of the service sector. About Ant Group Ant Group is a global digital technology provider and the operator of Alipay, a leading internet services platform in China, connecting over one billion users to more than 10,000 types of consumer services from partners. Through innovative products and solutions powered by AI, blockchain and other technologies, Ant Group supports partners across industries to thrive through digital transformation in an ecosystem for inclusive and sustainable development. For more information, visit
