3 6 Ke·2025-06-13 09:52Core Insights - The rapid growth of AI applications in China has led to a user base exceeding 120 million, marking a 232% year-on-year increase, with four main deployment models emerging: native apps, AI plugins, AI smartphones, and smart hardware [1][2] - Despite initial successes, many AI applications face the risk of becoming short-lived trends, as user habits evolve and the market matures, leading to a contraction in early explorations [1][2] - The competition in the C-end AI application market is shifting from mere functionality and traffic acquisition to a deeper exploration of user value and differentiation [2] Group 1: ChatBot Applications - "Wenxin Yiyan," China's first generative AI product, launched by Baidu, gained significant traction, reaching over 100 million users by the end of 2023 [3][4] - However, by 2024, Wenxin Yiyan began to lag behind competitors like Kimi and Doubao, with its monthly active users dropping significantly due to aggressive monetization strategies and a lack of developer ecosystem [5] Group 2: AI Photography - "Miaoyue Camera" emerged as a leading AI photography tool, achieving rapid popularity but ultimately faltered due to its limited functionality and inability to meet user emotional needs compared to traditional photography services [6][7] - The app's initial success was marked by high revenue, but it could not sustain user interest, leading to a significant decline in downloads [7] Group 3: AI Companionship - The AI companionship sector saw significant competition, with products like "Maobubai" failing to differentiate themselves in a market dominated by established players [10][12] - The discontinuation of "Maobubai" reflects the challenges faced by new entrants in a crowded market where user retention is critical [10][12] Group 4: AI Search - "Tiangong AI" and "Mita AI Search" were launched as AI search solutions but struggled to maintain user interest, with Mita AI Search experiencing a rapid decline in monthly active users after initial success [13][14] - The shift towards AI office assistants indicates a strategic pivot for many companies as they seek to redefine their product offerings [14][15] Group 5: Smart Assistants - "Kimi" initially gained traction through aggressive marketing but faced challenges in user retention and server capacity, leading to a significant drop in monthly active users [16][17] - The competitive landscape has shifted, with "Doubao" and "DeepSeek" overtaking Kimi in user numbers, highlighting the importance of ecosystem strength in the AI application market [17][18] Group 6: Entertainment Applications - AI-generated entertainment content, such as "AI Sun Yanzi," gained viral popularity but often lacked sustainability, leading to rapid declines in user engagement [20][22] - The lifecycle of such applications tends to be short, driven by novelty rather than long-term user value [22] Conclusion - The evolution of C-end AI applications is marked by a transition from initial hype to a more mature understanding of user needs and market dynamics, with a focus on sustainable growth and user retention becoming paramount [23][24]