The emergence of generative AI stands as one of the most transformative innovations since the advent of the internetIts profound impact on various industries has initiated a sweeping change in the operational landscape, setting the stage for entirely new commercial paradigmsThis technological advancement goes beyond mere enhancement; it represents a complete overhaul in how value is created within businessesThe key to navigating this new paradigm lies in how enterprises can innovate their approach to providing value for users.

From a business perspective, generative AI enables companies to tap into massive datasets to discern latent customer needs accurately, facilitating the development of highly personalized and differentiated products and servicesThis capability greatly expands the operational boundaries of an enterprise

Moreover, on the market innovation front, AI empowers firms to break away from conventional market research constraints by conducting real-time analyses of consumer behaviorThis allows for precision marketing and personalized outreach, which not only boosts user experience but also bolsters brand loyalty.

At a global scale, generative AI aids companies in surmounting language and cultural barriers, optimizing multilingual services, and analyzing overseas market data with accuracyConsequently, businesses can find novel opportunities for international expansion.

To illustrate the application of generative AI, let’s take a closer look at four companies: Trip.com, Cheetah Mobile, TCL, and Derby Software, and how they harness this technology as a new engine for growth.

Trip.com: Expanding Globally with Enhanced Experiences

The journey of Trip.com into international markets began in 2016 with the acquisition of Skyscanner

This bold move brought about significant technological challenges as mismatched data centers negatively impacted user experience, with the existing architecture unable to meet the growing demand for rapid deployment.

In 2017, Trip.com partnered with Amazon Web Services to implement cloud computing solutions that enabled seamless data migration and efficient deployment, heralding a new chapter in its operational capabilitiesFast forward to 2023, Trip.com stood at the forefront of technological advancement by introducing its generative AI travel assistant, TripGen, and establishing a 'joint lab' with Amazon Web Services.

“Through generative AI, Trip.com has found breakthroughs in several critical areas:

  • Flight Capacity Predictions: AI optimizes the timing of data synchronization, enhancing the user query experience.
  • Flight Change Handling: High-accuracy automation reduces costs and improves efficiency.
  • Multilingual Translation: Using the Claude model, Trip.com supports 34 languages for seamless translation, significantly improving international service capabilities.

Even more forward-thinking is Trip.com's launch of the 'Ask Dao' product, which leverages natural language interaction to redefine the booking process, offering users a more convenient and intelligent travel experience.

According to Zuo Yunfei, CTO of Trip.com’s flight division:

“On one hand, generative AI has the potential to fundamentally change the way we travel

As a service, travel requires a precise understanding and fulfillment of user demandsOn the other hand, for the OTA industry, generative AI can enhance the quality of ToB clients, automate supplier connections, and reduce the cost of rule configurationsAdditionally, generative AI holds tremendous potential for improving service quality by deeply understanding user needs, thus integrating supply chains and workflows to better meet user demands.”

Cheetah Mobile - Smart Co-Creation with Customers

As early as 2016, Cheetah Mobile articulated its commitment to being "All in AI," securing its place in the generative AI landscape through the development of the Orion-14B modelThe objective of their model development has been geared towards efficient performance while carefully balancing commercial application needs with cost control, exemplifying a 'start with the end in mind' strategy.

In applying generative AI, Cheetah Mobile has adhered to the principles of co-creation and private deployment

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By collaborating with Amazon Web Services, they provide deeply customized solutions to their clientsFor instance:

  • In the hospitality sector: Collaborating with large hotel chains to develop an AI super onboarding system, significantly reducing training costs.
  • Data Applications: Assisting enterprises to grasp business dynamics in real-time, fostering refined operations.
  • Robot Applications: Launching intelligent robots that improve service efficiency in restaurants and similar settings, resulting in rapid growth in overseas markets.

Cheetah Mobile's Chairman and CEO Fu Sheng remarked: “Even in advanced technologies like AI, you must start from business perspectives on the very first day, thinking how it can be utilized to generate revenue.”

TCL - Technological Inclusivity, Expanding Business Boundaries and Value Dimensions

Amidst the wave of generative AI, TCL has swiftly stood out due to its keen insights and mature technological strategies

Through its partnership with Amazon Web Services, TCL has effectively harnessed AI’s potential to drive holistic upgrades in its products and experiences.

On the product front:

  • Smart IoT Appliances: AI optimizes complex instruction processing, significantly enhancing user experience.
  • Semiconductor Display Panels: AI automates the optimization of image quality parameters, solidifying its industry-leading position.
  • Artistic TVs: Through generative AI, personalized artwork can be painted for users, offering a new aesthetic experience.

Internally, generative AI has notably boosted efficiency from document management to data report generation, and the fine-tuning of models ensures that each task aligns precisely with company needs.

What is TCL's journey toward embracing intelligence and the results of applying generative AI? Sun Li, CTO of TCL Industries summarized five key insights:

  • In the face of paradigm-level technological changes, one should not be conservative but actively embrace innovation.
  • Robust organizational and operational mechanisms are essential as support.
  • Establishing Centers of Excellence (COE) for new technology is crucial, as existing teams may lack the 'genes' needed for novel insights.
  • Rapidly verify concepts (POC) targeting specific issues and challenges.
  • It is important to understand the capability boundaries of generative AI.

According to Wei Xue, Vice President of TCL Technology, “TCL’s stance on technological innovation is this: AI should not replace humans but rather expand the boundaries of human capability, bringing more inspiration and enlightenment into life.”

Derby Software: Bridging Four Key Gaps with Generative AI Technology

Derby Software is a company that leverages data technology to serve the distribution of hotel and airline products, operating across 197 countries and regions with over 97% of its business being international

The company's remarkable performance during the pandemic highlights the core tenet of technological iteration, according to CEO Zhang Huanjie.

The tourism sector has long been constrained by four key gaps: information asymmetry, insufficient computing power, operational obstacles, and credit risksIn 2012, Derby Software, through its collaboration with Amazon Web Services, established a global server layout, successfully overcoming geographical limitations and marking a crucial step in bridging these gaps.

Utilizing AI mapping technology, Derby Software has optimized hotel data connection efficiencies; through the ChatBI project, the company achieved seamless integration of natural language queries with real-time decision-making; by merging real-time data with large models, Derby Software effectively addressed the high costs and inefficiencies of traditional global distribution systems, creating new possibilities within the tourism industry.

CEO Zhang Huanjie asserts: “Generative AI will undoubtedly catalyze significant changes in the technological revolution of the entire tourism industry, accelerating the realization of our core mission

The value brought by generative AI is equitable for everyoneHowever, those who can innovate in utilizing these technologies will come out aheadWe must embrace technology and not merely treat it as an accessoryIt is clear that AI capabilities will become a critical variable in future competition.”

Conclusion and Outlook

The wave of generative AI has begun to crestFrom Trip.com to Cheetah Mobile, from TCL to Derby Software, leaders across various industries have explored the vast potential of this technology in unique waysMoving forward, enterprises need to adopt a more open mindset towards change, deeply integrating generative AI into their operations to optimize value-creation models and enhance user experiencesIn the era of AI, seizing opportunities and fostering innovation are paramount for gaining a foothold in the global market and thriving against the competition.