微软小冰往事：一个AI明星产品是如何坠落的

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rise and fall of the AI chatbot "Xiaoice," developed by a team led by Li Di, highlighting the challenges faced by the company after its separation from Microsoft and the unexpected departure of its founder. Group 1: Development of Xiaoice - Xiaoice, launched in May 2014, gained 660 million users globally by 2018, becoming a significant product in AI history and a major innovation from Microsoft China [4][5]. - Li Di, known as the "father of Xiaoice," emphasized emotional intelligence over task-oriented AI, allowing users to form emotional connections with the chatbot [5][6]. Group 2: Li Di's Leadership and Departure - Under Li Di's leadership, Xiaoice grew rapidly, achieving a post-investment valuation of $2 billion and expanding its team to nearly 800 employees by 2022 [8][10]. - In early 2025, Li Di unexpectedly disappeared from the company, leading to rumors about his ousting by the board without formal announcement [11][14]. Group 3: Company Dynamics and Challenges - After Li Di's departure, the company faced significant restructuring, with layoffs affecting many employees, particularly those close to Li Di [16][27]. - The company struggled with profitability and faced pressure to deliver clear financial returns, leading to a shift in focus from long-term product development to immediate financial performance [32][34]. Group 4: Technological and Market Position - Xiaoice initially thrived on a unique question-answer framework but failed to adapt quickly to the rise of generative AI models like GPT, which began to dominate the market [41][44]. - The company’s reluctance to embrace large-scale models and its focus on emotional engagement over commercial viability contributed to its decline [48][50]. Group 5: Conclusion and Future Outlook - The article concludes that the departure of Li Di and subsequent changes in management and strategy have transformed Xiaoice into a different entity, losing its original vision and identity [55][56].