AI Voice Assistant by ByteDance
On Monday, ByteDance launched a groundbreaking AI voice assistant known as Doubao, designed for smartphones. This assistant operates autonomously, performing tasks on behalf of the user. Mirroring the AI from the film Her, where the protagonist develops an emotional bond with his phone’s voice, Doubao can do much more than just respond to voice commands.
Powered by ByteDance’s popular Doubao large language model, the assistant will initially be available on the M153 Nubia handset, albeit in limited quantities. The plan is for ByteDance to license this technology to other Chinese smartphone manufacturers. Notably, the Doubao assistant integrates at the operating system level, allowing it to interact seamlessly with various applications on the phone, organizing files, filling out forms, and even suggesting restaurants based on the user’s budget and preferences.
One standout feature is Doubao’s advanced memory function, which can store details such as meeting notes and personal preferences, transforming them into actionable reminders. This level of personalization addresses some of the common limitations associated with older voice assistants, such as Apple’s Siri, which can produce responses that suffer from delays and lack emotional depth.
ByteDance’s assistant utilizes a speech-to-speech system that enhances responsiveness, enabling users to interrupt the assistant mid-sentence—mimicking a natural conversation with friends or colleagues. As highlighted by Guangdong Yangcheng Evening News, the realism of Doubao’s voice calls is so compelling that it is said to be nearly indistinguishable from human communication, expressing emotions like joy and sadness.
However, it’s important to note that ByteDance has indicated that Doubao is still in beta and requires further testing before a broader release. This innovation reflects a significant step towards the sophisticated AI assistants users have long yearned for, a development that resonates with endeavours seen in tech hubs around the world, including San Francisco and Beijing.
The AI assistance field is rapidly evolving, with comparable advancements being made by companies such as OpenAI and Google, which also offer AI capabilities for real-time interactions on mobile devices. Yet, Doubao distinguishes itself by being a Chinese-made AI, fully integrated within a smartphone designed for the local market, thus meeting specific cultural and user demands.
As ByteDance’s technology reshapes the landscape of smartphone AI assistants, it is poised to be a noteworthy player, contributing to an era where personal digital assistants become integral to our daily lives.