Alipay's new AI assistant 'Ant Afu' goes viral

In alignment with the National “Weight Management Year” initiative and the broader “Healthy China” strategy, Alipay officially launched its AI-powered health assistant, Ant Afu, yesterday. The app aims to promote scientific weight management and encourage healthier lifestyles nationwide.

The launch follows a highly anticipated pre-announcement June 22, when Ant Afu teased its “Lose 50 Million Kilograms” campaign. Among various reward suggestions from netizens — including workout gear, light snacks, and gym passes — the offer of a heavily discounted smart body composition scale quickly emerged as the most popular incentive.

A smart body composition scale promoted through Alipay's AI-powered health assistant, Ant Afu, is offered at a subsidized price as part of the app's nationwide weight management campaign.

Users can now purchase the smart scale via the app for just 30.01 yuan (US$4.41), plus a 9.9 yuan delivery fee. Once synced with the app, the device provides a comprehensive body composition analysis — covering weight, BMI, body fat percentage, visceral fat, muscle mass, and bone mass. A 30-yuan digital voucher is also issued immediately upon activation, effectively offsetting most of the cost.

Beyond basic tracking, Ant Afu leverages AI to deliver personalized diet and exercise recommendations based on individual metrics. By uploading physical examination reports and syncing daily measurements, users receive tailored health interventions.

A user views a body composition analysis generated by Alipay's AI-powered health assistant, Ant Afu, after syncing data from a smart body composition scale.

For example, when a user with hyperuricemia asked whether traditional slow-simmered Cantonese soups were permissible, the app advised limiting consumption to one or two servings per week and avoiding broths made with chicken, pork bones, or organ meats. It can even analyze specific soup ingredients to estimate their calorie content and suggest healthier preparation methods.

Similarly, for a dim sum enthusiast seeking weight control advice, Ant Afu recommended adjusting meal sequencing by eating vegetables first, followed by steamed options such as har gow (shrimp dumplings) and siu mai.

The app also supports users through customized workout plans, progress tracking, and smart reminders, making preventive healthcare both accessible and actionable.

According to data from the National Health Commission, the combined overweight and obesity rate among Chinese adults has already surpassed 50% and is projected to climb to reach 65.3%. Given that obesity significantly increases the risk of multiple chronic conditions, initiatives like Ant Afu represent a timely, tech-driven response to one of the nation’s most pressing public health challenges.