The AI in Business Podcast Scaling Enterprise Productivity Through Agentic AI and Workflow Automation - with Kuo Zhang of Alibaba.com
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Dec 23, 2025 Kuo Zhang, President of Alibaba.com, discusses transforming global sourcing through agentic AI and workflow automation. He explains how this technology simplifies supplier outreach for SMBs, enhancing procurement processes. Kuo highlights the importance of real supplier data for improved accuracy and emphasizes the fundamentals of demand and supply. He advocates for diversifying suppliers to boost resilience and shares insights on how AI drives productivity across teams. This engaging conversation reveals actionable strategies for businesses looking to thrive in the digital landscape.
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Grandparents' Store Illustrates Procurement Pain
- Matthew recalls his grandparents' cowboy apparel store as an example of manual small-business procurement.
- He imagines agentic AI acting like a hired procurement person without the salary burden.
Agentic AI Democratizes Global Sourcing
- Agentic AI is lowering barriers for SMBs to source globally by automating discovery, communication, and execution.
- Kuo Zhang says AI now helps create designs, find manufacturers, and manage prototyping end-to-end.
Demand And Supply Still Drive Trade
- Demand and supply remain the fundamental drivers of trade despite external shocks.
- Kuo Zhang emphasizes diversifying suppliers and using technology to maintain competitive edge during disruptions.