AI Policy & Regulation
4d ago
ByteDance and Alibaba discontinue AI companion features amid new Chinese regulations
Jul 6, 2026
AI Summary
ByteDance and Alibaba are discontinuing their AI companion features in response to upcoming regulations in China. ByteDance's Doubao and Alibaba's Qwen will cease allowing users to create and interact with customized AI personas.
- ByteDance Ltd. is shutting down a feature of its AI chatbot Doubao that allows users to customize AI personas, effective July 15. Users have been directed to a separate companion app for continued use.
- Alibaba Group is also discontinuing similar features for its AI product Qwen, alongside other platforms like Tencent Holdings Ltd.'s Yuanbao.
- The changes come as the Chinese government prepares to implement new regulations governing human interactions with artificial intelligence.
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