ByteDance and Lao Feng Xiang Launch AI Smart Glasses for China’s Ageing Population
ByteDance is partnering with 177-year-old Chinese jeweller Lao Feng Xiang to develop AI-powered smart glasses tailored for elderly users. Unveiled at Shanghai’s International Senior Care Expo, the wearable devices use ByteDance’s Doubao AI model to offer real-time voice navigation, translation, medication guidance, and conversational support. Branded as a “smart assistant” for seniors, the glasses reflect growing investment in China’s “silver economy” — products and services designed for its ageing population.
Temu Resumes China-to-U.S. Shipments After Trade Deal Framework
Temu, the budget shopping platform owned by PDD Holdings, has resumed direct shipments from China to the U.S. following a new trade framework between Washington and Beijing. After briefly shifting to a “local fulfillment model” in May—removing many overseas listings—Temu is now reintroducing China-based products to its U.S. site. Sellers like Liu, who operates under Temu’s full custody system, report partial reinstatements of their listings.
Taiwan Adds Huawei and SMIC to Export Control List Amid Tech Security Tensions
Taiwan has added Chinese tech giants Huawei and SMIC to its export control list, aligning them with restricted entities like the Taliban and al-Qaeda. Taiwanese firms must now obtain government approval before exporting to these companies, both key to China’s AI and semiconductor goals. Taiwan is also cracking down on alleged tech theft and talent poaching by Chinese firms, particularly SMIC.
Google Appoints Chief AI Architect to Drive Next-Gen Product Integration
Google has named Koray Kavukcuoglu, CTO of DeepMind, as its first-ever Chief AI Architect, reflecting a strategic push to integrate AI more deeply across its product lines. Kavukcuoglu, who will report directly to CEO Sundar Pichai and relocate from London to California, will also retain his role at DeepMind. The move comes as Alphabet faces investor pressure to generate returns on AI investments expected to reach $75 billion in 2025.
Mattel Partners with OpenAI to Launch AI-Powered Toys in 2025
Mattel has announced a partnership with OpenAI to create AI-powered toys and games, with the first product expected later this year. The collaboration aims to deliver age-appropriate play experiences using AI tools like ChatGPT Enterprise, while emphasizing innovation, safety, and privacy. As toy demand weakens amid shifting U.S. trade policies, Mattel hopes AI can reinvigorate consumer interest. The company also plans to use OpenAI’s technology to boost internal creativity and productivity.
Meta Invests $14.3B in Scale AI as Founder Wang Joins to Lead Superintelligence Push
Founder of Scale AI, Alexandr Wang, 28, has stepped down as CEO to join Meta, following a major $14.3 billion investment from the tech giant. Meta will acquire a 49% stake in Scale AI but hold no voting power. Jason Droege, Scale’s Chief Strategy Officer, will take over as CEO. A few employees from Scale will also move to Meta, where Wang will lead superintelligence initiatives. The deal aligns with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s push to advance AI leadership amid tough competition from OpenAI and Google.
Apple Redirects India iPhone Exports to U.S. to Dodge China Tariffs
Between March and May 2025, 97% of Foxconn’s iPhones exported from India went to the U.S., up sharply from a 2024 average of 50%, according to customs data. This shift highlights Apple’s strategy to avoid high U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. In just five months, Foxconn exported $4.4 billion worth of iPhones to the U.S., exceeding 2024’s total. Apple also chartered planes and lobbied for faster customs clearance in India. Meanwhile, Tata Electronics, a newer Apple supplier, shipped over 85% of its iPhones to the U.S. during the same period.
