ByteDance’s Doubao AI: Recent Updates on Features, Controversies, and Enterprise Focus
Key updates for ByteDance’s Doubao AI include new navigation and task modes, refutations of false star index lists and smear campaigns, paid cloud...
ByteDance’s AI assistant Doubao has been making headlines recently with a mix of new feature launches, controversy clarifications, and strategic shifts toward enterprise services. Here’s a roundup of key developments:
First, addressing recent controversies: Doubao’s official representative Liu Xing refuted rumors about a "Doubao Star Index List" that sparked online debate. Liu stated the platform does not have such a feature, and the list image was likely generated using Doubao’s AI tool (with a visible watermark). Additionally, Liu exposed a coordinated smear campaign involving nearly 100 accounts from the same IP pretending to be exam candidates, spreading false content to praise a competing AI—calling this "irresponsible" during a critical period for students.
On the feature front, Doubao rolled out a navigation function supporting walking and cycling routes (powered by Baidu Maps), with driving and public transit options redirecting to Gaode Maps. The app also introduced a "Task Mode" allowing AI to autonomously plan and execute complex tasks like PPT creation or data analysis, while its "Thinking Mode" was upgraded to an "Expert Mode" for deeper reasoning. Meanwhile, ByteDance’s video generation model Seedance 2.5 is set to launch on Doubao’s experience center on July 6, with API access opening a week later.
Paid services are expanding too: Following the professional version (starting at 68 yuan/month for continuous monthly subscriptions), Doubao will offer paid cloud storage expansion. Regular accounts get 5TB free, with Feishu providing technical support for the paid plan (pricing to be announced).
Not all news is about growth: Doubao’s smart agent feature will be discontinued on July 15, with users advised to back up data by then (irrecoverable after October 15). Also, ByteDance is shifting AI resource focus from consumer-facing products like Doubao to enterprise services, according to reports.
Sources
- IT Home
- AI Pris
- LatePost
- 36 Kr