Luo Yonghao Weighs In: Why Even Great AI Products Like Doubao Face Uphill Battles
The Hidden Battles Behind AI Innovation
Tech entrepreneur Luo Yonghao never minces words. At yesterday's GeekPark IF2026 Innovation Conference in Beijing, the Thin Red Line Technology founder sliced through industry hype with characteristic candor during a fireside chat with GeekPark's Zhang Peng.
Smartphones: AI's Missing Revolution?
"Three years into this so-called AI revolution," Luo observed, leaning forward intently, "and what do we have to show on our smartphones?" His gaze swept the audience. "Not Apple, not Samsung, not even our domestic giants have delivered anything transformative."
The comment laid bare what many tech watchers quietly acknowledge - while corporate keynotes overflow with AI promises, daily smartphone experiences remain remarkably unchanged.
Doubao's Bold Gamble Meets Reality
Luo reserved measured praise for ByteDance's experimental Doubao phone. "At least they're swinging for the fences," he noted approvingly. But his tone darkened as he described how multiple platforms have restricted or banned the app recently.
"Users keep asking me why great products get blocked," Luo said, rubbing his temple. "They imagine it's about code quality or UX polish." He paused dramatically. "The truth? This is about power struggles no single developer can solve alone."
Ecosystem Wars: The Invisible Battlefield
The veteran entrepreneur sketched a sobering landscape where:
- Platform policies create minefields for innovators
- Commercial interests routinely trump technological potential
- Entire business models feel threatened by AI assistants
"Make no mistake," Luo emphasized, "creating breakthrough tech might be the easiest part nowadays."
Key Points:
- Smartphone stagnation: Major brands haven't delivered meaningful AI integration despite three years of hype
- Doubao's dilemma: ByteDance's experimental approach wins praise but faces widespread platform restrictions
- Ecosystem complexities: Luo reveals how commercial politics often outweigh technical merits in shaping what innovations reach users
- Future outlook: Despite hurdles, Luo remains convinced AI assistants will eventually transform devices
