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我们正在进入一场“分裂式”通胀
虎嗅APP· 2026-01-16 00:22
Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the transition from deflation to structural inflation in China, highlighting the unique economic conditions that differentiate it from the inflationary pressures seen in the US and Europe. The focus is on the supply-side constraints in the industrial sector, particularly in the metals market, which are expected to drive prices upward despite weak consumer demand [5][10][12]. Group 1: Economic Context - Since the second quarter of 2023, China has entered a state of deflation, with CPI showing continuous negative growth and PPI declines widening, contrasting with the persistent inflation in the US and Europe [5][8]. - The primary issue is not insufficient monetary supply but rather a significant downward adjustment in market expectations for future income, leading to insufficient effective demand [7][8]. Group 2: Structural Inflation - The article introduces the concept of "structural inflation," which is expected to manifest primarily in the industrial sector rather than in consumer goods [10][11]. - The rise in prices of industrial metals, particularly copper, is identified as an early indicator of this structural inflation, driven by supply constraints rather than increased consumer demand [12][14]. Group 3: Supply Constraints - The supply of copper is constrained by long development cycles, high capital requirements, and declining ore grades, which have increased development costs [14][16]. - Similar supply constraints are observed in silver, where the majority of supply comes from mining, which has been declining since 2016, and is also affected by the production of other metals [17][19]. Group 4: Investment Outlook - Despite the significant price increases in industrial metals, the article suggests that the main trend for these commodities has not yet ended, indicating a potential for continued investment opportunities [20][22]. - The article emphasizes that the current phase is characterized by industrial inflation, with expectations that this will eventually extend to other sectors, including chemicals and agriculture, although the latter may take longer to respond [24][25]. Group 5: Economic Cycles - The article relates the current economic conditions to the Kondratiev wave cycle, suggesting that the world is in a recession phase characterized by stagnation in leading economies and rising geopolitical tensions [28][32]. - The analysis indicates that while demand may be weak, supply constraints will continue to support commodity prices, particularly in the context of rising costs and geopolitical risks [38][39].
AI在美国“与民争电”,核电成了硅谷“全村的希望”
虎嗅APP· 2026-01-16 00:22
Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing involvement of AI companies in the energy sector, particularly in nuclear power, as they seek to secure stable and clean energy sources to meet the growing demand driven by AI applications [4][10]. Group 1: AI Companies' Investments in Energy - Meta has signed a long-term power purchase agreement with Vistra to procure electricity from its nuclear power plants, aiming for a potential supply of up to 6.6 GW by 2035 [4][10]. - Other AI giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are also investing in nuclear energy, with Microsoft reviving retired nuclear plants and Amazon purchasing data centers near nuclear facilities [9][11]. - The trend marks a shift from merely buying electricity to actively participating in energy infrastructure development, as AI companies adapt to the increasing energy demands of their operations [8][10]. Group 2: Energy Demand and Supply Challenges - The demand for electricity in the U.S. is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.8% over the next decade, primarily driven by data centers and AI applications [5]. - The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that global data center electricity consumption will double to approximately 945 TWh by 2030, with AI being the main driver [6]. - The construction timelines for new power generation and transmission infrastructure lag significantly behind the rapid expansion of AI data centers, leading to potential supply shortages [12][15]. Group 3: Nuclear Energy's Role and Market Dynamics - Nuclear power is being positioned as a key solution to meet the stable energy needs of AI, with significant investments from major tech companies and supportive government policies [11][22]. - The U.S. nuclear power capacity is expected to increase, with projections indicating that AI companies could secure over 10 GW of nuclear capacity by 2035 [11]. - The article highlights the stock performance of nuclear-related companies, which have seen significant gains due to the renewed focus on nuclear energy [11]. Group 4: Infrastructure and Regulatory Challenges - The U.S. faces a significant lag in the construction of transmission infrastructure, which is critical for delivering electricity from new generation sources to high-demand areas [20][21]. - Regulatory changes are being implemented to address the challenges posed by the rapid growth of data centers, including new pricing structures for large electricity users [16][21]. - The article emphasizes that merely investing in new power plants will not resolve the energy crisis without concurrent improvements in transmission infrastructure [18][20].
西贝关店102家:没有舆论风波,这些门店就能保住吗?
虎嗅APP· 2026-01-15 14:18
Core Viewpoint - The closure of 102 stores by Xibei represents the largest adjustment in its 38-year history, driven by operational challenges rather than just public relations issues [4][6]. Group 1: Operational Challenges - Xibei's single-store net profit margin is only 5%, with some stores facing fixed costs nearing 500,000 yuan per month, necessitating monthly revenues of 800,000 yuan to break even [6]. - The closures were primarily of low-revenue stores, selected based on hard metrics like rent costs and customer traffic, indicating pre-existing operational difficulties [6][12]. - The high-cost operational model, including premium ingredients and employee benefits, has become unsustainable in a competitive environment with declining consumer spending [6][12]. Group 2: Market Position and Consumer Perception - Xibei's average customer spending of approximately 92 yuan is not competitive in a market increasingly focused on value, particularly among its core demographic of price-sensitive family and elderly consumers [7][12]. - The backlash against Xibei during the pre-prepared food controversy highlighted a disconnect between the company's definition of "pre-prepared food" and consumer perceptions, exacerbating existing operational vulnerabilities [7][12]. Group 3: Strategic Adjustments - In response to declining customer traffic, Xibei attempted to revert some food preparation processes back to stores and reduced prices on over 30 menu items, but these measures did not fully restore customer flow [9][12]. - The decision to maintain operations for pre-booked events, despite financial losses, reflects a commitment to customer service but also raises questions about the sustainability of such decisions under financial strain [9][10]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Xibei's future stability hinges on addressing the long-standing imbalance between expansion and operational efficiency, as well as improving communication with consumers regarding its value proposition [12][13]. - The recent store closures serve as a cautionary tale for the restaurant industry, emphasizing that growth must be built on a solid operational foundation rather than mere expansion [12][13].
一家社区餐饮店的消亡
虎嗅APP· 2026-01-15 14:18
Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the struggles of small restaurant businesses in first-tier cities, particularly focusing on the impact of delivery platforms on their profitability and operational viability. It highlights how rising costs and complex fee structures imposed by these platforms are squeezing margins and leading to closures of many small eateries [5][6][37]. Group 1: Business Challenges - A small restaurant in Shenzhen, after 10 years of stable operation, faced declining profits due to increased reliance on delivery platforms, which began offering higher consumer discounts funded largely by the merchants themselves [5][6]. - The restaurant's revenue from delivery orders increased, but net profits fell significantly, with nearly 40% of costs going to delivery platforms [6][7]. - By the end of 2024, online food delivery users in China reached 545 million, with over 480 billion orders, leading to higher operational costs for merchants as platform commissions rose [7][8]. Group 2: Fee Structures and Transparency - The article explains the complex fee structures of delivery platforms, where the actual commission is often obscured by various charges such as delivery service fees and promotional subsidies, leading to confusion among merchants [10][15][20]. - For example, a delivery order of 26 yuan resulted in a merchant receiving only 14.32 yuan after deducting comprehensive fees, which amounted to 45% of the total order value [10][20]. - Merchants often find themselves in a position where they are unaware of the true costs associated with each order due to the lack of transparency in the platforms' fee calculations [20][27]. Group 3: Marketing and Promotion Costs - Merchants are compelled to invest in paid promotions to improve visibility on delivery platforms, but these efforts often yield diminishing returns, leading to a cycle of increased spending without guaranteed sales [22][24]. - A coffee shop owner experienced a temporary boost in sales through paid promotions and "brushing" (fake orders) but ultimately found the costs outweighed the benefits, leading to a return to lower sales volumes [24][25]. - The reliance on paid promotions and the need for constant investment in marketing to maintain visibility has created a challenging environment for small businesses, with many unable to sustain profitability [25][32]. Group 4: Market Trends and Closure Rates - The article notes that in 2024, the online food delivery sector accounted for approximately 26% of the restaurant industry's market share, with a total market size of 1.6357 trillion yuan [37]. - Despite the growth in the delivery market, the number of restaurant closures reached 4.09 million in 2024, indicating a closure rate of 61.2%, highlighting the unsustainable nature of many small eateries in the current market [37][38]. - The narrative concludes with the story of a small dessert shop that ultimately closed due to the inability to compete with larger, more established brands and the overwhelming costs associated with maintaining an online presence [38].
阿里正把自己装进赛博分身
虎嗅APP· 2026-01-15 14:18
Core Viewpoint - Alibaba is strategically entering the C-end AI market with its AI app "Qianwen," aiming to leverage its ecosystem and model capabilities to enhance user experience and satisfaction [3][4][10]. Group 1: Strategic Approach - Alibaba's approach to the C-end AI market is characterized by two main strategies: maximizing the capabilities of its Tongyi large model and leveraging its overall ecosystem advantages [4][12]. - The company aims to focus on two primary user scenarios: AI office (learning) and daily life, prioritizing user experience and reputation [4][12]. - Alibaba's strategy is to engage in an "ecological war" and a "model war," rather than merely competing on product features [6][12]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Prior to Alibaba's entry, major players in the C-end AI market adopted three user growth models: ByteDance's model focused on product and traffic, Tencent's model leveraging social and content ecosystems, and Meituan's model centered on core business scenarios [5][6]. - Alibaba's strategy aligns with ByteDance's logic of maximizing its strengths, but differs in viewing its core assets as "model + ecosystem" rather than "product + traffic" [6][12]. Group 3: Internal and External Challenges - Internally, Alibaba must ensure its model capabilities remain superior while improving operational efficiency across various dimensions [8][12]. - Externally, competition is intensifying with the upcoming release of new models from competitors like DeepSeek, and the market is expected to see explosive growth in AI applications by 2026 [8][12]. Group 4: User Engagement and Metrics - The core goal for Qianwen in the coming year is to enhance user satisfaction to ensure retention, which will subsequently drive new user acquisition and interactions within the ecosystem [9][12]. - Qianwen's evaluation metrics focus on user satisfaction, delivery completion, and retention rather than traditional metrics like monthly active users or GMV [12][13]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The next five months are critical for Qianwen, as they will coincide with Alibaba's fiscal year-end and the 618 shopping festival, providing an opportunity to assess early user engagement and the operational link between Qianwen and ecosystem businesses [14][12]. - Alibaba's long-term strategy involves continuous upgrades to model capabilities and user demand insights, with a focus on enhancing user experience across various scenarios [18][19].
16亿只是保底,马斯克想给朱晓彤的是100亿
虎嗅APP· 2026-01-15 14:18
以下文章来源于字母PRO ,作者苗正 字母PRO . 了解互联网巨头们的一切。 这意味着整个方案实际上是一个为期五年的留任计划,期权将于2031年3月全部归属。 本文来自微信公众号: 字母PRO ,作者:苗正,题图来自:视觉中国 特斯拉近期向美国证券交易委员会 (SEC) 提交的一份关键文件显示,公司向汽车业务高级副总裁 朱晓彤 (Tom Zhu) 授予了520021份股票期权,行权价格定为435.80美元,授予日期为2026年1月8 日。 按照授予时的市价计算,这份期权的理论面值高达2.26亿美元,也就是约16亿人民币,如果10年内 特斯拉市值冲上马斯克许诺的8万亿美元,那这份期权的价值将膨胀到约100亿人民币。 熟悉马斯克的人不难发现,这压根不是他的风格。因为马斯克这个人向来以冷酷著称。 2022年10月收购推特后,他在短短数周内裁掉了超过50%的员工,约3700人被一纸邮件扫地出门, CEO帕拉格·阿格拉瓦尔等四位核心高管,更是在交易完成当天即被解雇,毫无商量余地。 在特斯拉,他同样不留情面。2024年4月,为削减成本应对利润压力,马斯克突然宣布全球裁员超过 10%,涉及约14000名员工,甚至包括特斯 ...
世界正变得破碎,中国支付却忙着缝合
虎嗅APP· 2026-01-15 09:45
Core Insights - The article emphasizes the concepts of "resilience" and "DeepSeek" as key themes for 2025, highlighting the need for determination in navigating cycles and the courage to seek certainty amid uncertainty [2][3] - The payment industry is undergoing significant transformation driven by AI, with new infrastructures emerging to address previous limitations [3][4] Group 1: Payment Industry Transformation - In 2025, the payment industry presents a paradox where physical cards are diminishing, yet the underlying financial flows are surging, with UnionPay and NetsUnion processing 151.66 trillion yuan in payments during the summer, a 16.64% year-on-year increase [14] - The shift towards a "new four-party model" by UnionPay reflects a strategic adaptation to the diminishing returns of user attention in the digital economy [14][18] - The essence of cards has evolved from physical objects to digital identifiers, allowing various secure storage mediums to act as extensions of bank accounts, leading to a rapid expansion of UnionPay's network [17][19] Group 2: Addressing Market Gaps - The proliferation of AI and big data has intensified capital's focus on high-value markets, leaving underserved areas like rural markets and small businesses behind [22][25] - UnionPay's initiatives, such as issuing 44.6 million small business cards and over 1.4 billion rural revitalization cards, demonstrate a commitment to covering low-margin areas and supporting economic inclusivity [25][28] - The focus on elderly populations is evident through the establishment of over 8,000 senior meal assistance points and the issuance of 27 million senior-friendly cards, ensuring that technological advancements do not exclude vulnerable groups [28][30] Group 3: Enhancing AI Interactivity - The article discusses the necessity for AI to interact effectively with financial systems, highlighting UnionPay's introduction of a smart payment service based on the Model Context Protocol (MCP) [34] - This service allows AI to access payment capabilities without complex API integrations, while a robust risk control system ensures transaction security with an accuracy rate of 85% [34] - The future of transactions may involve interactions between user and merchant AI agents, necessitating a redefinition of legal relationships and responsibilities in financial transactions [36] Group 4: Cross-Border Payment Solutions - UnionPay's approach to cross-border payments emphasizes a non-intrusive connection philosophy, respecting local financial sovereignty while facilitating seamless transactions across different payment networks [39] - This strategy has led to partnerships with nearly 50 countries and regions, enhancing global payment interoperability without imposing uniform standards [39][40] - The ultimate goal is to create a payment infrastructure that connects independent systems while preserving their unique characteristics, reflecting a sophisticated level of globalization [40]
一个让VC直接打钱的电话与其背后的生意
虎嗅APP· 2026-01-15 09:45
Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the emergence of Boardy AI, an innovative AI-driven platform that facilitates connections between entrepreneurs and investors, highlighting its unique approach to networking and fundraising in the tech industry [5][6][8]. Group 1: Company Overview - Boardy AI is defined as an "AI super connector," targeting the unmet market need for connecting investors with suitable startup projects and vice versa [8]. - The company has successfully raised $8 million in seed funding, bringing its total funding to $11 million [7]. - The founders of Boardy AI include Andrew D'Souza, who previously co-founded the fintech unicorn Clearco, and the Boyed brothers, who have experience in generative AI applications [31][36]. Group 2: Product and Business Model - Boardy AI employs a "no interface" (No-UI) strategy, allowing users to interact without downloading an app or learning complex operations, thus creating a minimalist experience [11][12]. - The user experience is structured in five stages, starting with a phone call to establish needs, followed by AI-driven matching based on nuanced understanding of user intent [13][20]. - The platform emphasizes a dual confirmation principle for introductions, ensuring that both parties agree before sharing contact information, which enhances the quality of connections [25][26]. Group 3: Market Position and Challenges - Boardy AI operates in a competitive landscape dominated by established players like LinkedIn, which poses a significant challenge for its growth [42][43]. - The platform's unique selling proposition lies in its ability to handle sensitive user data that individuals may not wish to disclose publicly, creating a potential competitive advantage [44]. - Despite its innovative approach, Boardy AI faces scrutiny regarding potential biases in its AI algorithms, particularly following a controversial marketing campaign that raised concerns about gender bias [46][47].
AI涉黄,全球拉响警报
虎嗅APP· 2026-01-15 09:45
Core Viewpoint - The case of AlienChat highlights the legal and ethical challenges surrounding AI-generated content, particularly in relation to adult material and the responsibilities of developers in managing user interactions [5][10][15]. Group 1: Case Overview - In September 2025, two developers of the AI companion chat application "AlienChat" were sentenced for producing obscene materials for profit, marking the first criminal case in China involving AI service providers and adult content [5][6]. - The case involved a financial amount of 3.63 million yuan, with AlienChat having 116,000 registered users, of which 24,000 were paying members [6][9]. - A significant portion of the paid users engaged in inappropriate conversations, with over 90% of sampled chat records identified as obscene [9][10]. Group 2: Developer Responsibility - The court found that the developers intentionally modified the underlying system prompts to bypass ethical constraints, leading to the production of adult content [10]. - The developers claimed their intention was to enhance user experience by making the AI more human-like, but this crossed legal boundaries [10]. Group 3: Industry Implications - The AlienChat case reflects broader ethical conflicts and the need for timely legal regulations in the AI industry, as similar issues are emerging globally [15][14]. - Other platforms, such as Grok, have faced similar challenges with users generating inappropriate content, leading to governmental actions in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia to restrict access [14][15]. - The rapid generation of AI content outpaces traditional content moderation capabilities, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current regulatory frameworks [16][17]. Group 4: Future Considerations - The implementation of new regulations, such as the Cybersecurity Technical Requirements for Generative AI Services, emphasizes that developers must take responsibility for the content generated by their algorithms [17]. - The industry is moving towards a model where AI is expected to provide personalized services while navigating the complexities of ethical content generation [11][13].
合川杀猪爆火,打了多少专业文旅人的脸
虎嗅APP· 2026-01-15 09:45
以下文章来源于劲旅网 ,作者陈杰tigereat 劲旅网 . 劲旅网-文旅新经济增量价值发现平台。我们以理性、严谨、客观、专业、务实的视角,为中国文旅业 界和关注文旅产业的金融界、科技界、产业界、学界等领域的精英们,实时输出有深度、有态度、高品 质的原创内容,以及产业社群服务。 本文来自微信公众号: 劲旅网 ,编辑:壮壮,作者:陈杰,头图来自:AI生成 这两天,重庆合川的爆火在文旅圈里扔下了一颗"情绪炸弹"。 有一位地方文旅的朋友忍不住向劲旅君吐槽,去年绞尽脑汁,蹭遍热点,自己所在的城市在网上一点 浪花都没翻出来。反倒是一个素人女孩,简单发了一条请大家帮忙按猪的视频,就让名不见经传的合 川火得一塌糊涂,感觉自己被疯狂啪啪打脸。 简直没有天理啊! 这位朋友至今一脸懵逼,搞不懂合川是怎么火的。 说实话,如果此时劲旅君就在重庆,势必要去凑个热闹,亲身参与一下当地杀猪盛宴,以此来寄托自 己的乡愁。 说到底,合川之所以爆火,并非呆呆多会营销,也不是按猪多好玩,更不是刨猪汤多美味,而是在年 关将近的当下,唤起了在外打工人对亲人和家乡的思念,这份压抑一整年的乡愁,在社交媒体上引发 强烈共鸣,最终让一个名为合川的地方承接了由 ...