Alibaba.com is pushing artificial intelligence deeper into cross-border trade, with Indonesian small and medium-sized businesses now in focus. Through Accio Work, the company is positioning AI as a practical operating layer for sellers that want to reach global buyers without building large in-house teams.
The move matters because Indonesian products are drawing stronger interest from international shoppers, yet many local SMEs still struggle to keep up with the demands of export work. Limited staffing, time, and specialist know-how often slow down the very businesses that already have competitive products.
An AI team that handles export tasks around the clock
Accio Work is designed to act like a 24-hour AI business team, supporting sellers from the earliest research stage through day-to-day operations. Alibaba.com says the system can identify potential markets, study trends and competitors, source suppliers, optimize product catalogs, and support global marketing and digital store management.
The tool is aimed at B2B trade and is meant to simplify international commerce that can otherwise become difficult to manage at scale. By automating repetitive tasks, the platform gives business owners more room to focus on product development, supplier negotiations, and risk management.
General Manager APAC Region Alibaba.com, Shawn Yang, said AI has become a core foundation of modern business. He added that Accio Work gives SMEs and solopreneurs access to operational capabilities that were once more common among large companies with far greater resources.
Indonesia is a priority market for Alibaba.com
Alibaba.com sees Indonesia as one of its priority markets in Southeast Asia because of the country’s fast-growing digital economy and large SME base. The company also points to the rising number of Indonesian businesses using digital platforms to connect with international buyers.
Head of Indonesia Business Alibaba.com, Roger Luo, said global demand for Indonesian products continues to grow across multiple categories. He noted that product quality and competitiveness from Indonesia are increasingly recognized, but the next challenge is making sure sellers can respond to demand quickly and consistently.
According to Roger, the company’s focus is on helping local businesses build real operational capability. That includes finding buyers faster, publishing products more efficiently, and managing operations at a larger scale.
Simple adoption and a wider push for innovation
Head of Global Seller Product & Services and APAC Buyer Growth Alibaba.com, James Zhang, said Accio Work was built to be easy to use without complicated implementation. He described the AI team as plug-and-play, more professional in execution, and more autonomous in daily operations.
James said the approach could change how small teams compete and grow in international markets. Alibaba.com presents the tool as a response to SMEs that want to scale without taking on heavy operational burdens from the start.
Alibaba.com is also opening registration for CoCreate Pitch 2026 Indonesia Division. The competition is open to SMEs, startups, and students with product ideas that can be developed into AI-based business solutions.
The program offers participants access to AI tools to validate business ideas, refine marketing strategy, speed up product development, and improve readiness for sustainable growth. Alibaba.com frames the initiative as part of a long-term effort to help innovators turn ideas into businesses with global potential.
Registration opened on 18 June 2026 and is free of charge. The deadline is 25 August 2026, followed by internal selection and the announcement of the 10 best Indonesian finalists on 10 September 2026.
| Stage | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Registration opens | 18 June 2026 | No fee required |
| Registration closes | 25 August 2026 | Final entry deadline |
| Top 10 finalists announced | 10 September 2026 | Indonesia division selection |
| National final | End of September 2026 | Held before the global stage |
| Global trip to London | November 2026 | National winner represents Indonesia at CoCreate 2026 |
The national final is scheduled for the end of September 2026, and the Indonesian winner will travel to London in November 2026 to represent the country at the global CoCreate 2026 event. Alibaba.com says the whole program is part of a broader effort to help more Indonesian businesses use technology to reach international markets.