ByteDance’s AI assistant Doubao has gone viral on Douyin after users shared videos of its absurd outfit recommendations, with related hashtags amassing over 40 million views. In one viral clip with over 1.4 million likes, a student asking for cold-weather advice was told to wear seven layers — including two T-shirts, pajamas, a plaid shirt, a sweatshirt, and two jackets — before the AI reversed course for easier movement. Launched in August 2023 as a productivity tool, Doubao has grown into China’s most popular AI app with nearly 227 million active users as of December. Industry experts note AI fashion advice reflects broad training data rather than specialized aesthetic understanding.
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