Guang Zhou Ri Bao·2026-02-13 03:18Core Insights - The Chinese internet landscape is witnessing a significant transformation as major companies like Tencent, Alibaba, and Baidu engage in an AI-driven competition for user engagement during the Spring Festival, with a total investment exceeding 45 billion yuan in AI red envelopes [1][4][15] - This competition is not merely about cash giveaways but represents a strategic positioning for the next generation of traffic super entry points, focusing on integrating AI into various consumer scenarios [1][10][15] Group 1: Company Strategies - Tencent launched a 10 billion yuan cash red envelope initiative and introduced a new AI social feature called "Yuanbao Pai," aiming to create a collaborative social space [2][3] - Alibaba's Qianwen app initiated a 30 billion yuan "treat" campaign, integrating AI into its ecosystem across multiple platforms like Taobao and Alipay, and secured naming rights for four local TV stations' Spring Festival galas [2][3] - ByteDance's Doubao maintained a low-profile strategy, focusing on its existing user base while investing in AI interactions during the CCTV Spring Festival gala [3][4] Group 2: User Engagement and Growth - The competition has led to significant increases in daily active users (DAU) for these AI applications, with Qianwen's DAU surging by 727.7% to 58.48 million on the first day of its campaign, while Yuanbao's DAU increased by 2.1 times to 23.99 million [5][7] - The overall user engagement reflects a shift from traditional promotional methods to AI-driven interactions, with companies aiming to embed AI into everyday consumer activities [9][10] Group 3: Market Trends and Future Implications - The Spring Festival serves as a critical period for AI products to penetrate the market, particularly among underrepresented demographics such as older users and those in lower-tier cities [4][15] - The competition is seen as a pivotal moment in the transition from mobile internet to AI internet, with companies vying for long-term user loyalty and establishing AI as an integral part of daily life [15][18] - The effectiveness of these AI applications will ultimately depend on their ability to provide practical solutions and integrate seamlessly into existing user ecosystems [9][15][18]