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Doubao, a ChatGPT-like conversational bot developed by TikTok owner ByteDance, has emerged as the most popular AI app for Chinese consumers. Photo: Reuters

Recap | ByteDance AI becomes China’s No 1, AMD cuts jobs in Nvidia battle and more tech stories

In our latest future tech news, ByteDance’s Doubao is beating competitors in China, AMD moves to focus on AI chip market and OpenAI urges US collaboration against China.

OpenAI wants US to team up with allies to beat China in AI race

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China’s chip start-up taking on Nvidia kicks off pre-IPO process

Recap | Trump’s return threatens Chinese EV makers, an AI talent war and more tech news

The global expansion of biotech firms is another story the SCMP has been covering in the realm of future tech recently.

Demand for AI talent continues to surge in China. Photo: AFP

China’s ‘AI Tiger’ Zhipu in race to boost video-generation features

The updated version of Ying will be able to generate 10-seconds long 4K high-definition video clips at 60 frames per second, Zhipu says.

China’s AI chip unicorn Moore Threads moves closer to possible IPO

The GPU and AI-accelerator start-up, founded by an Nvidia veteran, has become a joint-stock company after fresh investments.

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ByteDance adds video generator to China’s most popular AI app

The move underscores the TikTok owner’s ambitions to solidify Doubao’s leading position.

ByteDance is introducing a video-generation feature in its Doubao chatbot. Photo: Shutterstock Images

Hong Kong start-ups find warm welcome, big opportunities in Saudi Arabia

Executives in a recent delegation praise Saudi Arabia’s pace of modernisation and eagerness to do business.

From chip war to TikTok ban: what tech can expect from Donald Trump

As Donald Trump returns to the White House, tech companies are bracing for a revamp of tech policies imposed by Joe Biden.

MTR Lab backs AI start-up Ensonic in first mainland Chinese investment

Ensonic produces AI-based acoustic detection systems used for equipment quality control and maintenance.

The deal with Ensonic marks MTR Lab’s first investment in a mainland Chinese company. Photo: Edmond So

Chinese unicorn Zhipu AI raises US$210 million to invest in start-ups

The Z Fund says it aims to take advantage of its parent’s leading position in China’s AI sector to discover promising early-stage start-ups.

The Zhipu AI booth at an industry conference in Shanghai. Photo: Handout

OpenAI safety exec calls for responsible AI development at Bilibili event

In an event hosted by and streamed to Bilibili, researcher Lilian Weng Li called AI a ‘double-edged sword’ that must be trained properly.

Chinese self-driving truck start-up Autra.tech scales down operations

Financing issues and potential US sanctions prompt Autra.tech to cut salaries of staff, cancel new development and suspend delivery orders.

Chinese AI firms are splurging on ads to stand out in crowded market: report

Tech giants such as Alibaba and ByteDance along with start-ups spent US$70.2 million in the third quarter to promote generative AI products, report finds.

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Chinese artificial intelligence firms are spending big on promotion as it becomes increasingly difficult to stand out in the crowded domestic market. Photo: Reuters

Chinese AI unicorn Zhipu adds Beijing, Shenzhen government funds as shareholders

The latest funding reflects how Chinese AI-related enterprises continue to attract new investment, despite US tech restrictions.

Major investors in Zhipu AI include Alibaba Group Holding, Tencent Holdings, Meituan, GL Ventures and Legend Capital. Photo: Handout

Start-up spurs Xiaohongshu-ready ‘experiences’ in Hong Kong

Strategy also seeks to capture anticipated growth in visits by Western tourists who spend more per capita.

China’s DeepRoute.ai raises US$100 million to accelerate self-driving tech

The Shenzhen-based start-up expects nearly 200,000 cars to be equipped with its advanced assisted driving system by the end of 2025.

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Shein touted as model unicorn in China’s ‘new quality productive force’ push

Shein, which sells budget clothing to a global customer base, was praised by state media for its contribution to industry upgrading.

People walk past a Shein advertisement in London, where the the fast-fashion giant plans to go public. Photo: Reuters

‘Not just talk’: Hong Kong secures billions in funds, deals at FII in Riyadh

The highlight of the week was the US$1 billion accord announced on the final day of the 2024 FII summit by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund and the HKMA.

Chinese AI unicorn MiniMax scores big in US with Talkie chatbot app

Talkie, part of the fast-growing ‘companion AI’ market segment, was the fourth most-downloaded AI app in the US in the first half of 2024.

China’s Zhipu AI says its app can operate your smartphone for you

AutoGLM can order coffee, send messages and complete other tasks on smartphones based on voice prompts, according to the Chinese start-up.

People look at their smartphones outside a restaurant in Shanghai. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong start-ups eye Middle East capital under new accord with venture fund

Start-ups with expertise in artificial intelligence, biotech and green energy can contribute to Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification agenda.

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HKSTP CEO Albert Wong Hak-keung (seated, right) signs the agreement with Beta Lab founder Abdulrahman Alolayan in Riyadh on October 29. Photo: Enoch Yiu

Hong Kong start-ups head to Riyadh for the Future Investment Initiative

Hong Kong start-ups ‘have a lot to offer’ Saudi Arabia, which is trying to diversify its oil-dominated economy.

Chinese robotaxi start-up WeRide files for US$119 million IPO

The IPO would be one of the largest US listings by a Chinese firm since Didi Global’s in 2021.

Oppo enters tech pact with top EV maker BYD, acquires AI start-up

The latest initiatives by Oppo show its ambition to diversify and expand its business beyond the smartphone industry.

Oppo expects to roll out generative artificial intelligence functions to its 50 million smartphone users by the end of this year. Photo: Shutterstock

Beijing AI academy boasts of new multimodal model’s performance

The state-backed Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence released a new model that it says can outperform Stable Diffusion XL on some tasks.

The state-backed Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence is among the first in China to release a multimodal model. Photo: Shutterstock

Alibaba start-up competition: Hong Kong officials tout city as ideal launch pad

Speakers at the Jumpstarter Ignition Gala highlighted the city’s advantageous position between mainland China and the larger Asia-Pacific market.

Opinion | For China’s next big tech leap, its ‘little giants’ must grow up

State-supported innovation can only take these SMEs so far. The question is whether they can thrive in a global market on their own.

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Start-ups
Articles about early-stage companies; pre-IPO, including those still being funded by angel investors, private equity or venture capitalists.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
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