Ant Group Expands into Healthcare with AI-Powered App AQ, Meeting Growing Demand Across Generations
In a strategic move to address the rising demand for both public and private healthcare services in China, Ant Group has launched its AI-driven healthcare app, AQ. The initiative is part of the company’s broader push into the healthcare sector, leveraging advanced artificial intelligence to meet the needs of an increasingly urbanized population undergoing significant demographic shifts. With over 100 AI-powered features, AQ aims to transform how individuals manage their health by offering personalized medical advice, facilitating access to nearly 1 million doctors, and connecting users with digital services from more than 5,000 hospitals across the country.
The timing of this launch aligns with projections from China’s National Health Commission, which estimates that by 2035, over 400 million people—more than 30% of the population—will be aged 60 or older. This aging demographic, combined with rapid urbanization, is expected to drive unprecedented demand for healthcare services in the coming years. By positioning itself as a leader in AI-enabled healthcare solutions, Ant Group seeks to bridge gaps in accessibility and inclusivity while fostering a healthier society.
Cyril Han, CEO of Ant Group, emphasized the company’s commitment to inclusive healthcare during the launch. “Through AQ, we aim to provide every individual with a trusted healthcare manager,” he said. “Our goal is to advance accessible, affordable healthcare and bring every Chinese citizen one step closer to living a healthier life.”
A Decade of Expertise Powers Ant Group’s Healthcare Ambitions
Ant Group’s foray into healthcare is not new; the company has been laying the groundwork for over a decade. Since 2014, when it introduced its first online hospital appointment service on Alipay, Ant Group has played a pivotal role in driving the digital transformation of China’s healthcare industry. The launch of AQ builds on this foundation, introducing cutting-edge AI technologies designed to enhance efficiency, accessibility, and personalization for both patients and medical professionals.
At the heart of AQ lies Ant Group’s Healthcare Large Model, an advanced AI system equipped with robust medical reasoning and multimodal interaction capabilities. Recognized for its excellence, the model has consistently ranked first in evaluations such as HealthBench and MedBench. Additionally, Ant Group’s leadership in privacy and security ensures that users can trust the platform to safeguard sensitive information while delivering reliable healthcare support.
By integrating its Healthcare Large Model into various applications, Ant Group is empowering medical institutions and practitioners to deliver superior care. For example, hospitals can now deploy AI models on-premises through partnerships with IT industry leaders, enabling secure and efficient optimization of daily operations. These innovations are transforming how hospitals interact with patients and streamline workflows.
Bridging Gaps in Healthcare Accessibility
One of the standout applications of Ant Group’s AI technology is Angel, an AI agent developed in collaboration with public medical institutions in Zhejiang Province. Serving over 1,000 facilities and handling more than 50 million user interactions, Angel exemplifies how AI can enhance patient experiences and alleviate administrative burdens for healthcare providers. Similarly, Yibaoer, an AI-powered assistant for medical insurance inquiries, supports local insurance institutions nationwide, helping users navigate complex policies and claims processes.
Another key milestone in Ant Group’s healthcare journey came in January 2025, when the company acquired Haodf, a leading platform for online doctor consultations. Together, they launched the AI Doctor Assistant, a tool designed to augment physicians’ capabilities by providing AI-assisted diagnosis, managing electronic medical records, and educating patients about treatment plans. This innovation addresses critical challenges faced by doctors, such as time constraints and overwhelming workloads, allowing them to focus on delivering high-quality care.
To further extend the reach of expert medical knowledge, Ant Group is collaborating with nearly 200 prominent doctors in China to develop AI Doctor Agents. These agents offer credible, authoritative healthcare advice and guidance to patients, particularly those in underserved areas where access to specialized care may be limited. By democratizing access to expert insights, Ant Group is ensuring that timely, accurate medical support reaches those who need it most.
Driving Medical Inclusion Through Innovation
Ant Group’s efforts underscore its vision of creating a more inclusive healthcare ecosystem. By harnessing AI, the company is addressing systemic inefficiencies and resource limitations that have long plagued the healthcare sector. Whether through streamlining hospital operations, simplifying insurance procedures, or empowering doctors with advanced diagnostic tools, Ant Group is making strides toward a future where quality healthcare is accessible to all.
Moreover, AQ reflects a deeper understanding of cross-generational healthcare needs. From younger users seeking preventive care to elderly individuals requiring chronic disease management, the app caters to diverse demographics with tailored solutions. This holistic approach positions Ant Group at the forefront of a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape shaped by technological advancements and shifting societal demands.
As China grapples with the dual challenges of an aging population and increasing urbanization, initiatives like AQ highlight the transformative potential of AI in addressing pressing healthcare issues. By combining innovation with inclusivity, Ant Group is not only advancing its own business objectives but also contributing to the broader mission of improving public health outcomes.
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.
