Beijing, China – Zhihu, often referred to as China’s Quora, has distinguished itself with the launch of an innovative AI feature. This generative AI, introduced on a recent Saturday, automatically responds to user queries. It is rapidly reshaping the landscape of online consumer tools in China.
The new feature, Zhida, meaning “direct response” in Mandarin, leverages Zhihu’s extensive content archive to search, summarize, and generate answers to user questions. Zhihu’s founder, chairman, and CEO, Zhou Yuan, unveiled this AI-driven feature at an event in Beijing, underscoring the platform’s commitment to cutting-edge technology.
Zhou Yuan stated, “With Zhida, we are not just answering questions; we are enhancing the user experience by providing instant, accurate, and comprehensive responses. This is a significant step forward in our mission to make knowledge sharing more efficient and accessible.”
Zhida uses advanced algorithms to analyze and synthesize data from Zhihu’s vast repository of user-generated content. This process ensures that the answers provided are not only relevant but also rich in context and detail.
- Instant Responses: Provides immediate answers to user queries.
- Contextual Understanding: Uses natural language processing to understand the context of questions.
- Comprehensive Answers: Summarizes extensive content to deliver thorough responses.
Zhihu is not alone in this AI endeavor. Shenzhen-based Tencent Holdings, an early investor in Zhihu, integrated its Hunyuan large language model (LLM) into over 180 services last year. These services include the Tencent Meeting conferencing app, the Tencent Docs word processor, online advertising, and the super app WeChat.
Similarly, Alibaba Group Holding, the South China Morning Post’s parent company, incorporated its Tongyi Qianwen LLM into DingTalk, its enterprise collaboration app. This integration aimed to improve workplace communication efficiency. In May, Alibaba revealed that over 90,000 corporate clients in China are already using the Tongyi Qianwen LLM family.
| Company | AI Model | Integrated Services |
|---|---|---|
| Zhihu | Zhida | User queries and responses |
| Tencent | Hunyuan LLM | Tencent Meeting, Tencent Docs, WeChat |
| Alibaba | Tongyi Qianwen LLM | DingTalk, workplace communication tools |
Zhihu’s chief financial officer, Wang Han, emphasized the strategic role of AI in optimizing the company’s operations during the first-quarter earnings call with analysts. AI has been pivotal in data analysis, assisting users in creating high-quality content, and driving website traffic.
“In 2024, our AI investment will be focused on the application layer,” Wang Han explained. “Our AI advancements have significantly improved operating efficiency across our existing businesses.”
Wang also noted that the AI-powered search function, introduced in March, has already led to a significant increase in user retention and engagement for Zhihu’s apps. This underscores the profound impact AI can have on enhancing the user experience and platform performance.
- Improved Efficiency: AI streamlines operations and enhances productivity.
- Enhanced User Engagement: Increased retention and interaction on the platform.
- High-Quality Content: AI assists in generating and curating superior content.
- Data-Driven Insights: Provides valuable analytics for better decision-making.
With the introduction of Zhida, Zhihu is poised to strengthen its position in the competitive online Q&A market. The integration of AI helps provide quick and accurate answers and enhances user engagement and satisfaction.
User testimonials highlight the positive impact of Zhida:
- “Zhida has made it so much easier to get detailed and accurate answers quickly.”
- “The AI responses are incredibly comprehensive and save me a lot of time.”
- “I appreciate how Zhida uses previous content to provide well-rounded answers.”
As more companies in China adopt AI technologies, the landscape of online services continues to evolve, offering users more innovative and efficient tools. Zhihu’s dedication to investing in AI and enhancing its platform through innovative solutions mirrors a broader trend among Chinese tech companies. By leading the charge in technological advancements, Zhihu aims to deliver an unparalleled user experience and maintain its competitive edge in the market.
Looking ahead, Zhihu plans to expand Zhida’s capabilities further. The company envisions a future where Zhida can handle more complex queries, offer personalized content recommendations, and even engage in more interactive dialogues with users.
Zhou Yuan concluded, “Our goal is to make Zhida not just a tool for answering questions but a companion for knowledge discovery. We are committed to continuous improvement and innovation in AI to serve our users better.”
- Personalized Recommendations: Tailoring content to individual user preferences.
- Interactive Dialogues: Enabling more dynamic and engaging interactions.
- Expanded Capabilities: Handling complex and multifaceted queries.
As Zhihu continues to innovate and integrate AI into its platform, it sets a precedent for other tech companies in China and beyond. The launch of Zhida marks a significant milestone in Zhihu’s journey towards becoming a leading knowledge-sharing platform powered by advanced technology.