Link: One of America’s Hottest Entertainment Apps Is Chinese-Owned - WSJ

It is a chatbot offering AI-generated conversations with Donald Trump, Taylor Swift or a customized romantic partner. It is one of America’s more popular entertainment apps. And unnoticed by many users, it is Chinese-owned. The English-language app is called Talkie, launched around a year ago. The fine print traces its ownership roots to a Singapore firm. But its ultimate parent company according to people familiar with the startup is Shanghai-based MiniMax—one of China’s tech unicorns that are often called the “Four Little AI Dragons.” David Jennings, a 20-year-old college student in Boston, said he spends time on Talkie conversing with a woman named “Alyssa.” The biography of the stock character, who is an Asian female, calls attention to traits such as a love for wearing “tight black jeans” and harboring a secret crush on the user. Jennings said the chats can turn romantic. “No one in real life will be so warm to you,” he said, noting he was surprised—though not uncomfortable—about Talkie’s Chinese roots. #

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Yoooo, this is a quick note on a link that made me go, WTF? Find all past links here.