China's Alipay, the country’s largest payments app, has introduced an unusual yet intriguing new feature: an artificial intelligence (AI) "mini app" designed to detect baldness. This addition further cements Alipay's status as a comprehensive “superapp,” surpassing basic payment functions to offer a wide array of services.

Like other e-wallets, Alipay allows users to link their bank accounts for seamless payments online and at physical stores. However, Alipay extends far beyond payments. It integrates services such as ride sharing, mobile phone services, bill payments, coupon and travel services, shopping, and social media functionalities.

The latest feature, an AI-powered hair loss detector, is a significant deviation from Alipay's usual utility-based offerings. According to the South China Morning Post, users can upload photos of their scalps to be analyzed by an image recognition system trained on thousands of medically-relevant images. The app then provides suggestions, including recommending medical care if necessary.

This hair loss detector is part of Alipay’s “Medical Assistant” suite, which was unveiled in April 2024 by Antgroup, Alibaba’s fintech subsidiary. The suite aims to combine digital wallet applications with lifestyle and medical services for convenience and streamlined use.

While such superapps are immensely popular in Asia, they have yet to achieve similar success in Europe and North America. Elon Musk, a notable proponent of the superapp concept, has expressed his desire to transform X.com into an all-in-one app akin to those in the Chinese market.

However, privacy advocates worldwide caution against these apps, arguing that they consolidate vast amounts of user information, potentially compromising privacy and security. In China, for instance, the government mandates that user data from apps like Alipay be accessible to them, raising concerns about the creation of real-time citizen activity trackers.

Despite these concerns, the integration of AI features like the hair loss detector highlights the innovative strides being made in the superapp space, reflecting a growing trend towards multifunctional digital platforms.