Beijing: Chinese technology company ByteDance has introduced Doubao 2.0, an upgraded version of its popular artificial intelligence chatbot, as competition in China’s fast growing AI sector continues to intensify.

Doubao is already the most widely used AI chatbot in China, with about 155 million weekly active users. The new version aims to move beyond simple conversations and help users complete complex tasks, reflecting what developers describe as the next stage of AI assistants.

ByteDance says Doubao 2.0 is designed for the emerging “agent era” of artificial intelligence, where systems can reason, plan and carry out multi step actions rather than only respond to questions. The company also highlighted efficiency and lower operating costs, a key focus for Chinese AI firms trying to deliver powerful tools at affordable prices.

The release comes during the Lunar New Year period, a time when Chinese technology companies often unveil major updates to attract public attention.

China’s AI industry has become highly competitive over the past year. Companies including Alibaba, Tencent and emerging startups are racing to release new models and gain users. The competition intensified after DeepSeek shook the market with low cost AI models, pushing rivals to develop similarly efficient systems.

The launch of Doubao 2.0 follows ByteDance’s broader push into artificial intelligence. The company has recently introduced new AI video generation tools and expanded investment in AI infrastructure and chips, signaling its ambition to strengthen its position in the global AI race.

Industry observers say the rapid rollout of affordable and powerful AI tools in China shows how quickly the global AI landscape is changing, with Chinese firms challenging Western leaders and expanding access to advanced technology.

Doubao 2.0 is expected to strengthen ByteDance’s dominance in China’s consumer AI market while highlighting the shift toward smarter digital assistants capable of handling everyday tasks.