ByteDance Launches AI Voice Assistant for Chinese Smartphones

Chinese technology organisation ByteDance has announced it is launching an artificial intelligence voice control tool set to debut on a ZTE Corp smartphone. The AI assistant, powered by ByteDance’s popular Doubao large language model, enables users to voice-activate tasks such as finding content and booking tickets.

Credit: Doubao

ByteDance’s AI voice tool will first appear on ZTE’s Nubia M153 handset, a prototype priced at USD 495. This device is currently available for pre-order in limited quantities. The tool will later become available on phones from other manufacturers.

Credit: Doubao

The AI voice tool will compete with similar AI features introduced by Chinese smartphone makers like Huawei and Xiaomi. Apple Intelligence has not yet been made available in China. Alibaba has stated it would partner with Apple to develop AI features for iPhones in China.

Credit: Doubao

ByteDance has no plans to develop its own smartphones and is in talks with multiple phone makers for the AI voice assistant rollout. ByteDance, which owns TikTok and its Chinese version Douyin, has emerged as a leading player in consumer AI apps in China due to its Doubao chatbot.

Credit: Doubao

Doubao had 159 million monthly active users in Oct., according to AI product tracking platform Aicpb.com. This user base is larger than Tencent's Yuanbao, which had 73 million, and DeepSeek, with 72 million users. ZTE shares surged 10% on Monday, reaching their highest level since October 29, helped by reports of the phone as well as news that it had won a string of contracts to supply 5G equipment in Vietnam.

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• ByteDance launched an AI voice control tool, powered by its Doubao large language model.

• The tool will first debut on ZTE’s Nubia M153 handset, priced at USD 495, and will later be available on other manufacturers' phones.

• ByteDance has no plans to develop its own smartphones and is negotiating with multiple phone makers.

Source: REUTERS