Ant International Embeds AI and Inclusion into Executive DNA

SINGAPORE – May 11, 2026 – Ant International is moving sustainability from a corporate social responsibility sidebar to a core component of its management DNA. The global fintech powerhouse today released its 2025 Sustainability Report, revealing for the first time that it has integrated sustainability metrics directly into its management performance evaluations, a move that structurally links executive accountability to inclusive growth and responsible innovation.

The report, the second since the company began operating independently, details a strategic pivot that prioritizes the democratization of artificial intelligence for small businesses and a significant investment in building technological trust. This dual focus underscores a maturing strategy where commercial success is inextricably linked with social and technological inclusion. As Eric Jing, Chairman of Ant Group and Ant International, stated in the announcement, “Accountability must be structural, not aspirational. When sustainability outcomes are valued as much as revenue growth or operational efficiency, the whole organisation is more likely to align accordingly.”

A Structural Shift to Accountability

The decision to tie executive performance to sustainability outcomes marks a significant evolution in the company's governance. This approach aims to move beyond "greenwashing" or superficial ESG reporting by embedding accountability at the highest level. By making sustainability a factor in how its leaders are measured and rewarded, Ant International signals to investors, partners, and the market that its commitment to inclusion is a fundamental business driver, not a philanthropic afterthought.

This structural change is built upon the company's established "6Ts Sustainability Framework"—Travel, Trade, Thrive, Tech, Talent, and Trust. Within this framework, the report re-emphasizes that Inclusion remains the critical objective. "Our success relies on our ability to innovate for small businesses and emerging markets to thrive above social and technological shifts," noted Peng Yang, CEO, and Douglas Feagin, President, at the report's launch. This philosophy positions doing good not just as a moral imperative but as a "strategic differentiator" in the competitive techfin landscape. The company's vast ecosystem, connecting 2 billion user accounts to over 150 million merchants, provides the scale to make this differentiated strategy impactful.

Democratizing AI for the Underserved

Central to Ant International's inclusion strategy is the aggressive rollout of sophisticated AI tools designed to be accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and partners in emerging markets. The company is betting that it can level the playing field by providing FinAI (Financial AI) capabilities that do not require massive infrastructure or in-house expertise.

A key example is Antom Copilot 2.0, an AI agent for merchant payment services. Research shows this platform has seen rapid uptake, with 72% of Antom's merchants actively using it by the end of 2025. The tool automates complex processes like payment integration, onboarding, and risk resolution. For a small online retailer, this can be transformative; the report highlights how the AI can reduce payment onboarding time from days to mere minutes and has been shown to increase dispute resolution win rates by three percentage points.

Beyond individual merchants, Ant International is enabling its fintech partners through its "FinAI-as-a-Service" platform, the GenAI Cockpit. This toolkit allows digital wallets and banks in developing economies to build their own AI-powered commerce solutions. Early adopters like Malaysia's TNG eWallet and Pakistan's easypaisa are using it to create everything from hyper-personalized customer service assistants to sales copilots, demonstrating the platform's flexibility. This initiative is complemented by tools like an open-sourced AI FX solution that boasts up to 93% accuracy in forecasting, helping SMEs navigate volatile currency markets.

Fortifying Trust in a Digital World

As digital transactions become more pervasive, trust is the bedrock of the entire ecosystem. Recognizing this, Ant International's report details heavy investments in technology and partnerships aimed at enhancing security and compliance. The company is deploying its SHIELD 3-in-1 Transformer model, a powerful AI with 7 billion parameters that identifies high-risk transactions with over 95% precision while simultaneously boosting payment success rates.

Data privacy is another cornerstone of this trust-building effort. The Alipay+ Privacy Enhancing Technology (PET) program, which was notably cited by Singapore's Personal Data Protection Commission in its guidance for industry applications, is a key initiative. It allows for the development of advanced security solutions, like fraud detection models, while preserving user privacy. This technology underpins the Digital Wallet Guardian Partnership, a collaborative effort with wallet partners to share risk technology and intelligence to better protect consumers and merchants from evolving threats. These technological safeguards are buttressed by a rigorous, three-layered Anti-Money-Laundering program and a corporate-wide Risk Management Committee, ensuring that innovation is harnessed within a robust compliance framework.

From Global Techfin to Local Action

While the report focuses heavily on high-tech solutions, it also illustrates how Ant International is leveraging its digital platforms to drive grassroots social and environmental impact. This demonstrates a commitment to community engagement that extends beyond its core financial services.

In the United States, Alipay+ has partnered with the WNBA's New York Liberty as its Innovation Partner for Sustainability, supporting community initiatives like sneaker drives for underprivileged youth and environmental projects. In Asia, the power of its platform was showcased when AlipayHK became a primary channel for fundraising after a major fire in Tai Po, raising HK$200 million from 450,000 users in just three days. Further south, in Indonesia, the company collaborated with DANA and Konservasi Indonesia to launch "Ocean Buddy," an in-app game that connects users' daily digital activities, like making payments, to the real-world protection of whale sharks.

These diverse initiatives, along with long-standing programs like the 10x1000 Tech for Inclusion training partnership with the IFC, paint a picture of a company striving to integrate its global technological reach with tangible, local impact. As Leiming Chen, Chief Sustainability Officer of Ant International, summarized, “we will work together to ensure that as we expand globally, our progress remains inclusive, measurable, and impactful for the communities we serve.”