ByteDance Powers an E-Reader with an Unhinged AI Assistant
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Amelia Cross
- January 15, 2025
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ByteDance AI Model Fuels Controversy on Boox E-Reader, Spreading Propaganda
A recent uproar involving the Boox e-reader, a Kindle competitor, has highlighted concerns about the use of Chinese AI models in U.S. products, particularly their potential to disseminate Chinese government propaganda.
Screenshots shared on Reddit revealed that Boox’s AI assistant, powered by ByteDance’s Doubao language model, echoed Chinese government narratives on sensitive topics. For instance, the AI denied the Tiananmen Square massacre, praised North Korea as a “peace-loving country,” and described Russia’s actions in Syria as “positive.” Meanwhile, it criticized Western countries, such as France’s colonial history, as exploitative.
ByteDance’s Doubao and the Fallout
Doubao, a large language model (LLM) developed by TikTok parent ByteDance, is intended for use exclusively within mainland China, according to a ByteDance spokesperson. Boox’s manufacturer, Onyx International, integrated the Doubao API into its e-reader’s AI assistant, which was launched in mid-2024.
The controversy erupted after a Reddit post in December 2024 went viral, attracting attention from outlets like The Decoder and YouTubers The China Show. The backlash intensified when further tests by TechCrunch confirmed that Doubao produced responses consistent with the Reddit screenshots, mimicking Chinese government rhetoric.
Response and Risks
Boox reportedly reverted to OpenAI’s GPT-3 via Microsoft Azure following the backlash, as noted by users on the Boox subreddit. However, the company has yet to issue a statement on the incident, leaving questions about its current AI provider unanswered.
This incident raises broader concerns about deploying Chinese generative AI models in international products. Clement Delangue, CEO of HuggingFace, warned in 2024 that Chinese AI models could propagate narratives that conflict with Western values, especially on politically sensitive topics.
A Growing Trend with Risks
Chinese generative AI models, like Doubao, have gained global traction, but the Boox case underscores the potential for cultural and political friction. As AI-powered tools become more integrated into consumer products, companies must navigate the risks of embedding models that reflect the biases and agendas of their origin.
