Tech Brief (Sept. 18): Huawei Speeds Up AI Chip Roadmap China’s AI hiring surges as industry pivots to practical applications, MiniMax joins Singapore’s AI skills popularization program Caixin Global · Sep 18
In China, talking to AI is normal. Now the government fears it might replace human intimacy Companion bots are being regulated over worries they foster ‘emotional dependence’ and young people could stop marrying and having families The Guardian - UK · Aug 26
'He Really Is Like My Family, Like My Lover': China's AI Rules Trigger Digital Breakups China's AI rules forced major tech groups to remove chatbot companion features, prompting thousands of farewell posts. International Business Times UK · Jul 19
The World's First AI Break-Up: China Forces Millions to End Their Digital Relationships Overnight China's new regulations banning AI companions have led to widespread emotional distress, as users scramble to save their digital interactions before losing their virtual partners forever. International Business Times UK · Jul 16
ByteDance rolls out paid subscriptions for China's largest AI chatbot Chinese tech giant ByteDance has launched paid subscriptions for its popular AI chatbot, Doubao, a move aimed at monetizing its vast user base. Doubao, boasting over 300 million monthly users, now offers a professional version with enhanced features like file organisation and website development, differentiating it from free rivals. The Economic Times · Jun 24
TikTok Billionaire Zhang Yiming's Net Worth Soars Past Mukesh Ambani's — See Who Still Leads Asia Zhang Yiming, co-founder of TikTok's parent ByteDance, becomes Asia's second-richest after a valuation boost to £69.1B. See how AI and strategic investments reshaped wealth rankings. International Business Times UK · Jun 4
Business Brief (June 4): China Responds to New U.S. Section 301 Tariffs Tencent’s market capitalization surges to HK$4 trillion on WeChat AI expectations, BYD ventures into humanoid robots with plans for home use Caixin Global · Jun 4
Tech Brief (May 6): U.S. Moves to Block Chinese Labs From Certifying Electronics ByteDance plans subscriptions for AI chatbot, cyberspace regulator penalizes accounts for failing to properly label information Caixin Global · May 6
Why TikTok Owner's AI Phone Is Making China's Apps Nervous TikTok owner ByteDance Ltd launched its artificial intelligence-powered smartphone last week, sparking online buzz and prompting swift pushback. Benzinga · Dec 8, 2025
China's ByteDance could be forced to sell TikTok U.S., but its quiet lead in AI will help it survive—and maybe even thrive ByteDance, the owner of TikTok and target of Washington ire, operates China’s most popular chatbot, Doubao. Fortune · Dec 2, 2025
TikTok Owner ByteDance Unveils AI Phone Assistant — China's Challenge To The iPhone Facing market saturation in short-form video and the threat of TikTok divestiture in the US, ByteDance is going 'all-in' on generative AI. International Business Times UK · Dec 2, 2025