ByteDance, the company responsible for TikTok, has stepped up its commitment to artificial intelligence following the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. Since then, the company has invested more than $1 billion in specialized technology, upgrading its data centers with high-performance processors essential for training language models.

In the face of growing trade tensions with the United States, the company has again explored creating its own AI chips, according to several sources. In this context, ByteDance has launched a new product to the Chinese market: the Ola Friend headset, which integrates Doubao, its own growing AI assistant.

 

Ola Friend: AI at the service of the user

The Ola Friend headphones, in-ear type and weighing 6.6 grams each, incorporate a five-core audio chip, designed to offer high-fidelity sound quality and advanced noise cancellation. The algorithm they use has been trained to minimize interference from ambient noise, particularly in windy situations. But what really sets these devices apart is their integration with artificial intelligence. The headphones offer a "personal instructor" that allows users to learn English through a natural language system, as well as a travel assistant that provides tourist and gastronomic site recommendations through whispers directly into the user's ear.

In addition, Ola Friend features a "personal DJ" function, which allows songs or playlists to be selected via voice commands, eliminating the need to use the cell phone. It also incorporates the keyword "doubao" to activate its chatbot, which competes with other AI platforms, such as Baidu's Ernie Bot, to converse and resolve user queries.

 

A competitive market

Although it is not the first AI product on the market, the launch of the Ola Friend headset reinforces ByteDance's presence in this sector. Other manufacturers such as Iyo, Rabbit and Humane have also developed AI-enabled devices, while Meta has innovated smart glasses.

However, Doubao, ByteDance's assistant, has become the most widely used AI application in China, underscoring the tech giant's relevance in the growing AI market. The Ola Friend headset will be available only in China from October 17, priced at 1,199 yuan (approximately 155 euros). Availability in other countries has not yet been announced.