China's Consumer Platforms Quietly Build In-House AI Models

While big names in Chinese AI like DeepSeek, Z.ai (Zhipu AI), Moonshot AI, and MiniMax are catching global attention, a quieter trend is emerging among local tech firms creating custom AI tools for everyday users. Different sectors, including e-commerce, gaming, social media, and travel, are building their own foundational models tailored to their needs, steering clear of outside suppliers. Dots Studio, part of a well-known platform for fashion and travel recommendations (possibly RedNote), recently introduced Dots3-Note Preview, boasting 280 billion parameters. They claim their model rivals or surpasses those from US companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, as well as local competitors DeepSeek and Z.ai. Dots Studio’s goal is to create AI that genuinely helps people with real-life challenges. Analysts see this shift as a major change in China's tech industry, with digital platforms increasingly opting for custom AI solutions.