ByteDance prepares to launch office AI product competing with tencent's workbuddy

According to First Finance's New Cortex, ByteDance's Doubao team is set to release an office-focused AI product by next week, positioning it as a direct competitor to Tencent's WorkBuddy. The product will be a standalone application derived from the 'Work Tasks' mode within the Doubao app, with a dedicated entry point already visible on the Doubao web interface alongside the 'New Conversation' feature. Recent updates to the 'Work Tasks' mode have introduced several new functionalities, including support for remote phone control of a computer, virtual desktop operations on Windows, and the addition of a side work panel. During a mid-year meeting on August 6, ByteDance CEO Liang Ruobo emphasized focusing resources on core business areas such as AI, information platforms, and transaction services, with Doubao being identified as a new AI main business. This move signals a broader strategy to integrate more AI products around the Doubao platform. Earlier in July, ByteDance restructured its AI business by merging the Feishu and Doubao product teams into a new Doubao product team, ensuring that Feishu's existing products remain unchanged while fostering deeper collaboration between the two in productivity scenarios.