{"text":[[{"start":7.75,"text":"Tencent is moving closer to launching an embedded AI agent for WeChat, the ubiquitous app used by China’s 1.4bn people for everything from messaging and social media to ride-hailing and payments."}],[{"start":21.95,"text":"The company is testing a prototype of the agent, which can help users complete tasks within the app, and aims to start the compliance process required before a public launch as soon as this month, according to two people with knowledge of the plan."}],[{"start":34.95,"text":"After that, Tencent plans to test the agent on a small group of outside users before initiating a phased rollout. A public launch date has not been set because the amount of time required for the compliance process is uncertain."}],[{"start":47.650000000000006,"text":"Tencent shares closed up 10.5 per cent in Hong Kong on Tuesday."}],[{"start":52.35000000000001,"text":"Users will be able to access the chat box for the AI agent by swiping right on the main WeChat screen, according to a person who has seen an early demonstration."}],[{"start":61.35000000000001,"text":"They can then enter instructions for the agent to automatically tap into WeChat’s millions of mini-apps — the bedrock of the app’s broad functionality — and complete tasks such as finding a café and ordering a drink based on certain flavour and price requirements."}],[{"start":77.65,"text":"The successful launch of an AI agent on China’s most-used app could help Tencent leapfrog its domestic rivals, which have built stronger models and already implemented agents across their platforms."}],[{"start":89.60000000000001,"text":"Alibaba has integrated its ecommerce, travel and mapping services into its Qwen AI app, while ByteDance has added agentic functions such as online shopping to its Doubao app."}],[{"start":101.05000000000001,"text":"While Doubao and Qwen’s monthly active user numbers are far behind WeChat’s 1.4bn, they are growing rapidly, putting pressure on Tencent to release its AI agent sooner, according to the people familiar with the company’s plan. Tencent already has a chatbot with search functions, Yuanbao, embedded in WeChat."}],[{"start":121.35000000000001,"text":"The company had made the rollout its highest strategic priority, said one of the people familiar with the plan. Tencent’s executives are careful about getting every aspect of the AI agent right, which could lead to prolonged testing and many rounds of changes before the eventual launch."}],[{"start":137.25,"text":"Although the prototype was able to complete tasks smoothly, challenges remained in finding enough computing power to support a mass rollout, the person said. China’s internet giants had relied on Nvidia chips to power their AI data centres before they were banned for export to China."}],[{"start":155.3,"text":"“Tencent was too conservative to stock up on Nvidia’s chips before the US export ban, while domestic semiconductor supply remains tight,” said the person."}],[{"start":165.4,"text":"Early internal estimates suggest a full rollout of an AI agent on WeChat will be very costly, and it is unclear whether Tencent can generate enough revenue in the near term to cover the expense."}],[{"start":176.45000000000002,"text":"WeChat, known as Weixin in Chinese, has evolved since its launch as a messaging app in 2011 to become an indispensable platform embedded in nearly every aspect of daily life in China."}],[{"start":189.55,"text":"Through mini-apps that businesses and government entities set up, users can order delivery from restaurants, pay utility bills and schedule doctor appointments, meaning users rarely need to leave the app for everyday transactions."}],[{"start":204.3,"text":"In turn, Tencent has been able to gather vast amounts of behavioural data from WeChat’s billion-plus users."}],[{"start":210.8,"text":"“Beyond foundation models, it has become increasingly evident that agentic AI represents a breakthrough use case,” said Tencent’s president Martin Lau in an earnings call with analysts last month. “Our platform inherently has many benefits of hosting AI agents.”"}],[{"start":227.20000000000002,"text":"Tencent declined to comment."}],[{"start":229.3,"text":"Additional reporting by Eleanor Olcott in Beijing"}],[{"start":241.45000000000002,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1780391067_5734.mp3"}