Welcome to the forefront of conversational AI as we explore the fascinating world of AI chatbots in our dedicated blog series. Discover the latest advancements, applications, and strategies that propel the evolution of chatbot technology. From enhancing customer interactions to streamlining business processes, these articles delve into the innovative ways artificial intelligence is shaping the landscape of automated conversational agents. Whether you’re a business owner, developer, or simply intrigued by the future of interactive technology, join us on this journey to unravel the transformative power and endless possibilities of AI chatbots.
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AI giants in China, including Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu, are offering “red envelopes” or cash gifts to lure more users to their chatbots before the reported release of their new AI models later this month (via a Techxplore report citing AFP).
Alibaba, for instance, has formulated a budget of CNY 3 billion (around USD 430 million) to be offered as cash gifts to users of its AI app, Qwen. The promotional campaign begins on February 6, 2026, right in time for the Chinese New Year.
After Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu will also commence with their campaigns. While the former has pledged CNY 1 billion (with top prizes of around CNY 10,000), the latter is giving away CNY 500 million, not only in cash, but also in the form of iPhones and TVs.
To claim cash prizes (or iPhones), Chinese users must register with the relevant AI apps and interact with them (asking questions about complex topics, planning holidays, etc.) during the promotional period; it’s really that simple.
It’s clear that the Chinese AI giants want to increase their active user base before rolling out their new and more advanced models later this month, but that doesn’t seem to be the only motivation behind the promotional pile of around CNY 4.5 billion.
As they release advanced AI models, these companies are competing with global AI players like Google and OpenAI. Alibaba, for instance, claims that its Qwen3-Max-Thinking model outperforms Google’s Gemini 3 in reasoning.
In doing that, the Chinese firms are also eyeing a chance to become Apple’s local AI facilitator in the region. Since the iPhone maker can’t use Gemini to power its advanced AI features (including the new Siri) in China, it has to outsource the back-end to a platform that meets its stringent standards.
A Bloomberg report from February 2025 also claims that Apple will use Alibaba’s AI in China, but the iPhone maker hasn’t confirmed anything yet. As and when Apple finalizes a Chinese firm for its upcoming Apple Intelligence features, it should announce the provider (either to the public or to its investors).
A long-standing obstacle for augmented reality (AR) and mixed-reality smartglasses may finally be on the brink of being solved. A team of researchers led by Professor Sanghyeon Kim at the School of Electrical Engineering, in collaboration with Inha University and industry partners, has developed a micro-LED display technology capable of ultra-high resolution on the order of ~1,700 pixels per inch (PPI). That’s roughly three to four times sharper than most flagship smartphone screens today, with a level of detail that could make immersive wearable visuals far more convincing.
For context, Micro-LEDs are a form of self-emissive display technology that holds key advantages over OLEDs, including higher brightness, longer lifespan, and improved power efficiency, all critical for compact, battery-constrained wearables like smartglasses. Until now, engineering ultra-high-resolution micro-LED displays in such small form factors has been a major technical challenge, especially when it comes to creating tiny red pixels that work efficiently without consuming excessive power.
Phones, electric vehicles, and other devices that run hot might soon have a powerful new tool keeping them cool. Engineers at the University of Houston have developed a novel thermal management technique that works like a “thermal diode,” allowing heat to flow in only one direction. This breakthrough, rooted in a concept called thermal rectification, has been developed by Bo Zhao, an award-winning and internationally recognized engineering professor at the Cullen College of Engineering, and his doctoral student, Sina Jafari Ghalekohneh. The new technology could, in theory, help electronics keep hot spots under control, potentially extending battery life and preventing overheating, as published in Physical Review Research.
Current smartphones and portable electronics often struggle with heat because traditional materials let thermal energy travel freely in all directions. That means internal heat from batteries or processors can linger or even flow back into components, leading to excessive temperatures, reduced performance, and faster battery wear. The new thermal diode design changes that dynamic by pushing heat forward while blocking reverse heat flow, giving engineers a more precise way to regulate temperatures inside devices.
A small group of blind and low-vision fans will experience the Super Bowl with a Super Bowl tactile device that renders the ball’s location through touch. The tablet also delivers vibration cues for key moments, so big plays don’t blur into crowd noise.
The NFL is teaming up with OneCourt and Ticketmaster to bring the setup to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, when Seattle plays New England on Feb. 8. Around 10 attendees are expected to use the device in their seats, with a live Westwood One broadcast feed running through headphones.
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