artificial intelligence

artificial-intelligence

China’s Gen Z Embraces AI

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

A new survey found that 95% of Gen Z respondents used AI for work or study — and almost half used it to meet their emotional needs.

Fan Yiying

Fu Xiaoqing

Two Sessions: Labor Rights, Child Safety, AI Scams Among Key Debates

Proposals on these issues have sparked widespread debate on social media, with related hashtags drawing hundreds of millions of views online.

Sixth Tone

As DeepSeek Expands, China’s Cities Roll Out ‘AI Public Servants’

From Hohhot to Guangzhou, local governments are integrating DeepSeek AI in government cloud systems to streamline administration and public services.

Ding Rui

China’s Small Vendors Try to Strike It Rich on DeepSeek 

The homegrown large language model’s runaway popularity has opened the door to all manner of profit-making schemes, from paid installs to fortune telling.

Jiang Xinyi

Seek and Deploy: China’s Tech Giants Race to Adopt DeepSeek AI

From Tencent to Baidu, major firms slash costs and streamline access as they integrate DeepSeek into cloud platforms and AI services.

He Qitong

Can News Survive the Rise of AI?

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

A 2019 court decision helped lay the groundwork for AI news in China. But protections for media outlets are sorely needed.

Joanne Kuai

China Slams AI-Generated Memes for ‘Desecrating’ Traditional Culture

Netizens are using AI video tools to spoof all manner of Chinese classics. The authorities are not amused.

China Proposes Mandatory Labeling of AI-Generated Content

The draft regulations would punish content creators and online platforms for failing to clearly label content that was generated by artificial intelligence.

Cracking the Love Code: The Struggles of AI Romance Apps

Translations, cross-publications, and collaborative projects from Sixth Tone’s external partners. 

SIXTH TONE ×

Developers of AI software in China have found it difficult to convert romance into revenues despite users’ desire to splash out on virtual lovers.

Hu Xiu

Over 20% of Children in China’s Cities Use AI Devices, Report Finds

Children’s toys and smartwatches with integrated artificial intelligence-powered chatbots are rapidly gaining popularity in China, sparking concerns among experts.

On the Go: The Humans Steering the Future of China’s Robotaxis

Safety operators and the data they collect are playing a crucial role as Baidu’s Apollo Go program looks to further expand in Wuhan and beyond.

Beijing Youth Daily

In Wuhan, Robotaxis Put China’s Self-Driving Ambitions to the Test

Articles that cut to the core of contemporary China. In-depth, informed, and carefully crafted, every piece is carried by the voices of the story’s participants.

FEATURES

With government support and backing from tech giants, robotaxis are rapidly integrating into daily life in China. But the rollout is sparking a nationwide debate.

Ye Zhanhang

Wang Jingyang

With AI, China’s New Hit Dramas Are Virtually Writing Themselves

More and more of China’s ultrashorts are now being crafted entirely by AI, from script to special effects. But as the technology advances, concerns about creativity and authenticity continue to grow.

Li Xin

Lin Liuhan

Shanghai Wants to Integrate AI Into Everything — Even Wet Markets

Shanghai is trying to reinvent community wet markets for the 2020s. That means better hygiene, trendier stalls, and AI-powered smart scales.

Chinese Talent Show Exposes Stupidity of AI — and Some Humans

Which vote share is higher: 13.8% or 13.11%? Most generative AI models — and a surprisingly large number of people — insist it’s the latter.

In China, AI Enters a New Arena: The Civil Service Exam

Tutoring candidates to ace China’s civil service exams has become a lucrative industry in recent years. Now, companies are rushing to integrate artificial intelligence into their services.

At Shanghai AI Expo, Humanoid Robots Turn Heads, Bake Bread

As China races to lead in AI and robotics, multiple domestic companies and startups showcased significant progress at the World AI Conference. But industry insiders say challenges remain in achieving large-scale commercial applications and reducing production costs.

For Chinese Journalists, An Uphill Battle to Scrutinize AI

Chinese media should hold AI systems and their proponents accountable through their reporting, but limited newsroom budgets and a lack of talent are reducing their chances of doing so.

China Has a Problem With AI Fraud. Can a Browser Plugin Solve It? 

The rise of deepfake technology has led to a surge in fraud cases in China over the past year. But a new AI detection tool could help stem the tide.

Li Dongxu

For Chinese Students, the New Tactic Against AI Checks: More AI

In recent months, Chinese universities have begun using advanced AI systems to detect machine-generated content in dissertations. In response, students, including those who did not initially use chatbots, are turning to AI tools to ensure their work passes these stringent checks.