WeChat Bans AI Commercial Courses, Promotes Technical Sharing
WeChat Mini Program has introduced significant policy changes targeting its education and training category. The platform will no longer support courses related to AI commercial applications, including those focused on "AI entrepreneurship," "customer acquisition," and "monetization." This decision reflects WeChat's commitment to managing platform content by cracking down on commercialization while promoting technical knowledge sharing.
Prohibited Courses
Under the new regulations, WeChat Mini Program has explicitly banned courses that teach how to use AI for commercial activities. This includes topics such as starting an AI-based business, increasing revenue, and acquiring customers. Additionally, AI deepfake courses related to fraudulent advertising—such as face and voice swapping—are also prohibited. These courses often exaggerate their effects and make unrealistic promises, leading to their inclusion on the banned list. Other restricted courses include offline training, luxury goods appraisal, and youth sports.
Encouraging Technical Sharing
While commercial AI courses are being restricted, WeChat is still encouraging the sharing of technical knowledge. Tencent Cloud recently launched its AI Creation Training Camp initiative, which invites developers to submit original works related to AI technology. Although pure AI-generated content is not permitted, content focusing on technical principles, code implementation, and industry solutions is still encouraged. This initiative highlights a strategic difference between Tencent's various departments, aiming to steer AI content back towards its inherent technical value.
Implementation Details
WeChat Mini Program has also made adjustments to product descriptions, removing those related to offline learning and emphasizing in-group live streaming learning. This shift means that future course content will focus more on online teaching rather than traditional face-to-face instruction. To better serve users of different age groups, the target audience for courses is now categorized into two groups: 7-18 years old and 18 years old and above.
A Healthier Content Ecosystem
The new regulations are part of WeChat's broader effort to establish a healthier content ecosystem. By banning misleading advertising and promoting genuine technical sharing, the platform aims to protect users while fostering the healthy development of the AI field. This policy is expected to have a significant impact on how AI-related content is disseminated and consumed on WeChat Mini Program.
Key Points
- WeChat Mini Program has banned AI commercial courses, including those on entrepreneurship and monetization.
- Deepfake courses related to fraudulent advertising are also prohibited.
- Technical knowledge sharing is encouraged through initiatives like Tencent Cloud's AI Creation Training Camp.
- Course content will focus more on online teaching rather than traditional face-to-face instruction.
- The new policy aims to create a healthier content ecosystem by protecting users from misleading advertising.
