Jing Ji Guan Cha Bao·2026-01-29 08:07Core Insights - The competition in AI is intensifying as major companies like Tencent and Baidu launch cash red envelope activities in their AI applications, reflecting a return to aggressive marketing strategies reminiscent of the mobile internet boom [1][2] - The integration of social features in AI applications is seen as essential for survival in the competitive landscape, as companies aim to reshape social interactions in the AI era [2][4] Group 1: Company Strategies - Tencent is set to launch a Spring Festival activity on February 1, allowing users to participate in cash red envelope distribution through its AI app "Yuanbao," which also features a social function called "Yuanbao Pai" [1] - Baidu announced a similar cash red envelope activity for its AI application "Wenxin Assistant," starting on January 26 [1] - The return of cash red envelope strategies is viewed as a necessary survival tactic for Chinese internet companies to maintain user engagement and loyalty in the evolving AI landscape [2] Group 2: Industry Trends - The shift towards AI-driven social interactions is characterized as a complex ecosystem involving connections between humans and intelligent agents, as well as interactions among intelligent agents themselves [2] - The current competitive environment is marked by a consensus in the tech industry that AI is not optional but a critical race for survival, with resources increasingly directed towards AI development [2] - The expectation for AI technology has evolved beyond mere efficiency improvements to encompass a transformative role in reshaping connections between people, information, and services [4] Group 3: User Impact - The competition among tech giants is expected to lead to significant increases in daily active users (DAU) and a resurgence of user engagement reminiscent of the mobile internet's golden age [3] - The integration of AI into social interactions is anticipated to create new employment opportunities, upgrade industries, and reconstruct consumer scenarios, thus playing a key role in economic recovery and confidence boosting [4] - The ultimate beneficiaries of this competitive landscape are expected to be ordinary users, who will gain from enhanced AI capabilities and improved interaction experiences [4][5]