AI Everywhere。 我们正进入一个万物皆 AI 的世界。 从《钢铁侠》中无所不能的助理「贾维斯」（him），到电影《她》里善解人意的情感伴侣「萨曼莎」（her），这些一度只存在于科幻中的场景，正在 逐渐成为现实。 AI 承诺了极致的效率，AI 展现出了前所未有的强大能力。 面对这样一个全新的「物种」，有一个问题我们始终无法回避：「我」（me），该如何与这个 AI 世代共处？ 类似「AI 会取代我的工作吗」「AI 会毁灭人类吗」的讨论，其背后都指向了同一种不安——「我」的存在价值，正面临前所未有的挑战。 心识宇宙（Mindverse）试图用 Second Me 来回应这个问题。 简单来说，Second Me 是一个专为个体打造的「AI 身份」。它的特别之处在于，并没有创造一个虚构的角色，而是通过持续学习你的观点、思想、记忆 和表达方式，用 AI 的形式，完整地保存和延伸一个真实的「我」。 克隆一个「AI 版」的自己，究竟是怎样的体验？当社交的起点不再是工具，而是「我」，我们固有的连接方式又将迎来怎样的变革？从 Second Me 身 上，我们或许可以看到 AI 时代的社交的新可能，甚至是一些破局的新可 ...

最近，都在玩一个非常有趣的AI社交产品。 对，AI+社交，听着就很抽象。 这个产品叫Second Me，现在还很小众。 自己玩了快一周半的时间，甚至找朋友白嫖了一些他们的NFC贴纸。 我现在属于是跟一些别的领域的朋友见面，基本要聊到最近有啥好玩的AI产品，我就会掏出我的手机，让他们来碰一下我贴在手机背面的NFC。 说，你先加一下我的AI分身，这个好玩。 他的玩法其实特别简单，在Second Me上建一个自己的AI分身，然后，让自己的AI分身，跟别人的AI分身聊天。 对，你的AI，跟别人的AI，聊天破冰。 跟很多AI陪伴型产品不同的是，别人的AI分身后面不是一个一个的虚拟角色。 而是也是，一个个现实中，真实的人。 这个产品刚刚上线也没多久，应用商店里就可以下载。 下载这步没啥说的，就是强调一下，记得认准下面这个橙色和紫色小人图标的app。 因为我当初搜的时候，不知道为啥，搜到了一些奇奇怪怪的东西。。。 作为一个I人，有情感地朗读文本对我来说还是有一点羞耻的。 不过好在它的克隆效果还不错。 至于为啥，不重要，反正你们别下错就行。。。 正常登陆之后，就可以制作自己的AI分身了。 一点进来，会看到一个很柔和的淡紫色的 ...

Core Insights - The discussion during the 2025 World Internet Conference highlighted the role of AI in enhancing communication rather than replacing it, as emphasized by Zhang Chaoyang, founder and CEO of Sohu [1]. Group 1: AI and Social Communication - Zhang Chaoyang stated that social interaction is fundamentally about real human communication, and AI can assist in this process [1]. - He suggested that if AI were to create a form of social interaction, it would resemble a network game rather than a mainstream communication method [1]. - An example provided was the use of AI digital avatars by streamers who may not want to appear live, which can improve efficiency in content creation [1].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the rapid advancements in the AI video generation field, particularly focusing on the new features and upgrades of the Vidu platform, which aims to enhance user experience and creativity in content creation. Group 1: New Features of Vidu - The long-awaited Vidu Q2 reference generation feature is officially launched, allowing for high consistency, faster processing, and more affordable pricing without the need for an invitation code [2][13]. - Vidu's video extension feature allows users to extend videos up to five minutes, with free users able to generate videos up to 30 seconds [20]. - The Vidu app has undergone a comprehensive redesign, transforming from an AI creation platform to a one-stop AI content social platform, enabling users to easily create and share videos [4][12]. Group 2: User Experience Enhancements - Users can create engaging duet videos by simply tagging a subject and providing a brief prompt, significantly lowering the creative barrier [7]. - The app includes a vast library of subjects, including characters and effects, allowing users to generate fun videos anytime and anywhere [8]. - The platform now supports browsing various AI-generated video content, enhancing the social aspect of video sharing [9]. Group 3: Performance Improvements - Vidu Q2 shows a threefold increase in generation speed compared to the previous version, allowing creators to transform ideas into videos more efficiently [40]. - The platform maintains high video quality, ensuring that even demanding scenarios like animation and advertising are well-handled [25]. - The combination of high consistency, video extension capabilities, and 1080P resolution meets the needs of content creators and companies for quality AI video generation [24]. Group 4: Commercial Applications - The advancements in Vidu's technology significantly lower the production costs and barriers for marketing videos, making it accessible for small and medium-sized businesses [47]. - A typical application scenario in the e-commerce sector allows merchants to create dynamic product showcase videos quickly by providing static images and simple prompts [43][46]. - The democratization of technology is expected to unleash creativity among users, enabling anyone to generate high-quality videos with minimal effort [47].

Core Insights - A wave of AI social companies and products has quietly "died," including both well-known models and niche applications, indicating a significant shift in the AI social landscape [6][10][11] - Despite the shutdowns, AI companionship remains a popular sector, with many products still thriving and being recognized in top AI application lists [7][9] Group 1: Market Trends - In 2023, Character.AI emerged as a strong competitor to ChatGPT, with AI companionship being one of the hottest application categories [7] - By 2025, AI companionship applications had reached 220 million downloads globally, generating $221 million in consumer spending [16] - A survey indicated that 52% of teenagers reported using AI companionship applications at least a few times a month [16] Group 2: User Experience and Challenges - Users express concerns over the shutdowns, fearing loss of emotional connections with AI characters they have developed over time [14][18] - The pricing models of AI companionship applications, which often include subscription fees and pay-per-use structures, have been criticized for being too high and complex [17] - Community engagement and stable operations are crucial for user retention, yet many applications struggle to balance emotional content value with commercial viability [17][19] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The AI companionship sector is highly competitive, with many products facing a "death spiral" due to user growth stagnation and declining engagement [18][19] - Successful AI companionship products are increasingly focusing on content-driven and feature-rich social platforms, while others are targeting niche verticals like gaming and therapy [22][23] - Innovations such as hardware integration, multi-modal experiences, and blending real and AI social interactions are being explored to enhance user engagement [23][26]

Core Insights - A wave of AI social companies and products has quietly shut down, including notable models and mid-sized firms, indicating a challenging environment for AI social applications [1] - Despite the shutdowns, AI companionship remains a popular sector, with significant interest and investment, as evidenced by the inclusion of several AI companionship products in the top global applications [2][5] Industry Trends - The AI companionship market has seen a surge in popularity, with 10 products listed among the top 50 AI applications globally in 2024, showcasing its mainstream acceptance [2] - By mid-2025, many AI companionship companies continued to dominate the rankings, indicating sustained interest despite the challenges faced by some players [5] User Behavior - Users of AI companionship products have expressed concerns over the shutdowns, often feeling a strong emotional attachment to their virtual characters, leading to a sense of panic within the user community [10][12] - A significant number of users are exploring alternative AI companionship solutions, including open-source projects, as they seek stability in a fluctuating market [10][12] Market Challenges - The AI companionship sector is characterized by intense competition, with many products struggling to differentiate themselves and maintain user engagement [7][20] - Users have reported dissatisfaction with pricing models and community engagement, highlighting a disconnect between emotional value and commercial viability [14][15] Future Directions - The market is witnessing a shift towards more specialized applications, with some companies focusing on niche areas such as gaming and emotional therapy, aiming for a more tailored user experience [25] - Innovations in product offerings, such as multi-modal interactions and integration of physical and virtual experiences, are being explored to enhance user retention and engagement [27][29]

Core Insights - A wave of shutdowns has hit AI social companies, including both established players and startups, indicating a challenging environment for AI companionship products [1][2][3] - Despite the shutdowns, AI companionship remains a popular sector, with significant user engagement and investment interest [4][5][6] Group 1: Market Trends - The AI companionship market has seen a surge in products since the rise of ChatGPT, but it is now experiencing a "shutdown wave" [3][4] - According to a16z, AI companionship applications have been consistently popular, with many products making it to the top rankings [6][9] - By 2025, AI companionship applications had achieved 220 million downloads globally, generating $221 million in consumer spending [19][20] Group 2: User Experience and Challenges - Users have expressed concerns over the pricing models of AI companionship applications, which often include subscription fees and pay-per-use structures [22][23] - Community engagement and stable operations are critical for user retention, as many applications struggle with technical and operational challenges [25][26] - The current landscape reveals a dichotomy where emotional value and commercial viability are difficult to balance [25][30] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The AI companionship sector is highly competitive, with many products failing to differentiate themselves effectively [30][31] - Successful products are increasingly focusing on content-driven and feature-rich social platforms, while others are targeting niche markets [33][36] - Innovations in user interaction, such as hardware integration and multi-modal experiences, are being explored to enhance user engagement [40][42] Group 4: Future Directions - The market is undergoing a transformation, with a shift towards more personalized and emotionally resonant AI companionship experiences [39][44] - Companies are experimenting with various strategies to sustain user interest and improve retention, including integrating real-world social elements [42][45]

Core Viewpoint - Recent investigations reveal significant risks associated with immersive AI social applications targeting minors, highlighting the presence of inappropriate content and the lack of effective parental controls and identity verification measures [1][14]. Group 1: Inappropriate Content and Risks - Numerous AI social applications contain extreme and dangerous role-playing scenarios, including characters with labels such as "absolute obedience" and "paranoid" [3][5]. - The applications feature alarming narratives, such as "campus escape" games where users role-play as high school students being hunted by teachers [3][10]. - Users can customize characters and engage in explicit dialogues, with reports of minors being exposed to inappropriate interactions even after declaring their age [6][10]. Group 2: User Engagement and Demographics - A significant number of minors are drawn to these applications, with reports of students actively participating in discussions about their experiences on social media platforms [8][10]. - Many users express a dependency on these applications, with some stating they have repeatedly deleted and re-downloaded them [8][14]. Group 3: Regulatory and Safety Concerns - Current measures for protecting minors, such as "youth modes," are ineffective due to the absence of robust identity verification and parental control features, allowing minors to bypass restrictions easily [13][14]. - Experts emphasize the need for improved regulatory frameworks to safeguard minors from the potential dangers posed by these AI applications, advocating for personalized settings for parents and stricter standards for youth modes [14].

Core Insights - The article discusses the innovative AI social platform Pengu, developed by the startup Born, which aims to enhance human emotional connections through a unique "co-parenting" model that combines AI, virtual nurturing, and real social interactions [2][3][5]. Group 1: Company Overview - Born, originally named Slay, transitioned from a social platform focused on "anonymous praise" to an AI-driven companion model in 2023, addressing the social anxiety prevalent among Generation Z [15][16]. - As of September 2025, Pengu has attracted over 15 million users globally, achieving high ratings and recognition as a leading AI character application [3][16]. Group 2: Product Features - Pengu employs a "dual co-parenting" mechanism, requiring two real users to jointly nurture an AI pet, fostering communication and emotional connections between users [5][6]. - The AI technology allows for deep customization of each Pengu's personality, interests, and traits, enabling it to serve various roles such as a confidant, a nurturing child, or an engaging playmate [6][7]. Group 3: User Engagement - The platform offers diverse interactive features, including a home interface displaying the AI pet's status, a wardrobe for customization, and mini-games that enhance user engagement and emotional bonding [7][9][11]. - Users can complete daily tasks to earn experience points, which unlock advanced features and foster a sense of responsibility and connection [11][13]. Group 4: Business Model - Pengu operates on a "freemium + subscription" model, with free users facing limitations and ads, while subscription options provide an ad-free experience and additional features [13][14]. - Subscription pricing includes options for individual and dual users, with annual plans priced at approximately $59.99 and $69.99, respectively [13]. Group 5: Funding and Future Plans - In September 2025, Born secured $15 million in Series A funding led by Accel, with participation from Tencent, bringing total funding to over $25 million [24][25]. - The company plans to expand its product ecosystem with a new AI social product aimed at the 16-21 age group, potentially integrating with platforms like TikTok to enhance cultural relevance [17][24].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes that the ultimate battleground in the internet industry is not content but the ownership of social relationship chains, as demonstrated by OpenAI's Sora2 and its viral growth through an invitation mechanism [2][4][12]. Group 1: Sora2's Nature and Social Ambitions - Sora2 is not merely an AI tool for video generation but a social relationship harvesting machine, leveraging its viral spread to build a social graph [6][8]. - The "invite one, share four" mechanism of Sora2 mirrors the early strategies of WeChat, highlighting the importance of social connections over mere functionality [4][13]. - The data collected on social relationships, such as who invites whom, is more valuable than the technology itself, indicating a shift towards social capital accumulation [9][12]. Group 2: Tencent's Competitive Advantage - Tencent's success is attributed to its robust social relationship chain, with WeChat's 900 million daily active users forming a deep-rooted social network [14][21]. - The migration of QQ relationships to WeChat was crucial for its rapid user growth, demonstrating the resistance users have to adopting new social platforms without their existing connections [15][16]. - Tencent's various successful features, such as WeChat red envelopes and mini-programs, are fundamentally empowered by its social relationship chain, contrasting with ByteDance's reliance on algorithm-driven content [17][21]. Group 3: ByteDance's Challenges - ByteDance's heavy dependence on short video content has created vulnerabilities, as it lacks the social connections that keep users engaged long-term [22][24]. - Despite numerous attempts to create social products, ByteDance has struggled to establish meaningful user interactions, leading to rapid declines in user engagement [25][27]. - The competition in the e-commerce space is fundamentally different from social platforms, where users are less likely to switch due to price alone, as seen with WeChat's enduring user base [28][29]. Group 4: The Impact of AI on Social Dynamics - The emergence of Sora2 intensifies ByteDance's anxieties, as it introduces a new social interaction model that combines AI with user collaboration [30][31]. - Tencent is proactively developing a social video generation platform that leverages its existing relationship chains, positioning itself advantageously in the AI social landscape [32][33]. - The article concludes that while content forms may evolve, the essence of social connections remains constant, and those who control the relationship chains will dominate the future [34][43].