The livestream was the first sale of AI products by Li , who earned the “Lipstick King” moniker for amassing a huge following while selling vast volumes of lipstick online.
Ah, Singles’ Day in China—the one day of the year when you can buy yourself a mountain of products without feeling guilty about being single. It’s like Black Friday but on steroids and with a side of emotional catharsis. This year, however, things took an interesting twist when the ‘Lipstick King’ himself, Li Jiaqi, decided to sprinkle some artificial intelligence (AI) magic into the mix.
For those not in the know, Li Jiaqi is a live-streaming sensation who can sell lipstick faster than you can say ‘I need a new shade.’ This year, during the grand spectacle of Singles’ Day, he took to the digital stage to promote subscriptions to Alibaba’s QwenWork AI service. Yes, you read that right—lipstick and AI, the dynamic duo we never knew we needed.
In a mere 30 minutes, Li managed to hawk around 100,000 monthly AI memberships. That’s right, folks. While most of us were busy contemplating our life choices, he was busy making it rain with technology subscriptions. Who knew generative AI would be the new hot item to snag alongside that 50th pair of shoes you don’t really need?
This is a pivotal moment, marking the first time generative AI has been shoved into the spotlight during this shopping extravaganza. It’s like when your friend finally gets that haircut you’ve been waiting for—suddenly, everyone’s interested. The introduction of AI products into the Singles’ Day frenzy is a sign of the times. People want to buy, and they want to buy smart.
Now, let’s be honest. When you think of Singles’ Day, you typically picture mountains of clothes, beauty products, and gadgets. But AI? That’s a new ball game. It’s like discovering your favorite ice cream flavor has a secret ingredient that makes it taste even better—who doesn’t want that? The integration of AI into consumer products is becoming a trend, and it seems the masses are ready to embrace it, especially when it’s presented in a shiny package by a guy who has a PhD in selling lipstick.
So, what’s the deal with QwenWork? It’s basically Alibaba’s answer to the growing demand for AI tools that can help businesses streamline their operations. Because, let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to automate their work while simultaneously buying a new lipstick shade? It’s efficiency at its finest, and apparently, it’s a hot commodity on Singles’ Day.
In the end, it seems that Singles’ Day is evolving from a simple shopping holiday to a full-blown tech showcase. The inclusion of AI products signifies a shift in consumer behavior—people aren’t just looking for deals; they’re looking for smarter ways to shop. And if that means being sold AI subscriptions alongside their favorite beauty products, then so be it.
So here’s to Li Jiaqi, the Lipstick King, and his foray into the world of artificial intelligence. Who knows what next year will bring? Maybe we’ll all be buying AI-powered self-help books alongside our lipsticks. Just remember, it’s not just about looking good; it’s about being smart while doing it. Cheers to that!
Inspired by: “China’s ‘Lipstick King’ hawks tokens as AI gets mass-market Singles’ Day push” (r/World)