Alibaba-backed Qwen App announced on Wednesday that it is opening its platform to third-party Agents and Skills, allowing companies to operate branded AI agents within the app.
According to the company, Luckin Coffee, KFC, Mixue, and China Eastern Airlines are among the first businesses to begin testing related services, with some features expected to roll out in the near future.
The move marks a step in Qwen’s evolution from a general-purpose AI assistant toward a platform that integrates third-party services and workflows.
Currently, companies including China Eastern Airlines, KFC, and Luckin Coffee have launched selected services through Skills. Users can complete tasks such as ordering food or arranging travel using natural language.
For example, a user could ask Qwen to order a two-person meal under RMB 60 ($8.8) from the nearest KFC for pickup, and the system would identify suitable options and complete the request.
According to Qwen’s roadmap, future Agent-based services will be capable of handling more complex tasks and personalized interactions. An airline agent, for instance, could analyze a user’s travel plans and preferences to provide itinerary recommendations, while a restaurant or coffee brand agent could offer timely reminders based on factors such as location and expected wait times.
The company also said that Agents will be able to retain user preferences and support scenarios such as trip management, membership benefit reminders, and repeat purchases.
The Qwen team said the app has spent the past six months integrating a range of Alibaba ecosystem services, including mapping, ride-hailing, shopping, and instant retail, generating extensive experience in service-oriented interactions.
By opening its Agent and Skill framework, the company aims to attract more businesses to build AI-powered services on the platform.
As more companies integrate their services with AI assistants, the idea of using a single chat interface to access information and complete tasks is starting to move closer to reality.
Still, questions remain about how well these agents will perform in real-world use and whether consumers will embrace them.
