Alibaba, ByteDance Halt AI Agent Features as China Tightens Rules

Alibaba researchers developed SkillWeaver, a framework that reduces token consumption by over 99% when routing AI agents to the correct tools from large libraries. The system uses a three-stage process (decompose, retrieve, compose) combined with Skill-Aware Decomposition to iteratively fetch and evaluate relevant tools rather than exposing agents to entire tool catalogs. This addresses a core challenge in enterprise AI systems where agents must orchestrate multiple tools to complete complex, multi-step workflows.

Meta has launched a new app called Pocket that lets users create and share interactive AI-generated experiences called 'gizmos' built from prompts. The app shares only a name with Mozilla's defunct read-it-later service Pocket, which shut down last year. The launch reflects CEO Mark Zuckerberg's stated vision of AI as the next evolution of social media, where users can build and distribute interactive AI-powered content.

Mark Zuckerberg told Meta staff at an internal meeting that the company's AI development efforts, particularly around AI agents, are progressing slower than he had anticipated. The statement signals a recalibration of expectations around a technology area Meta has invested heavily in. The disclosure comes as the AI industry broadly grapples with the gap between near-term capabilities and longer-term ambitions.

Z.ai, a Beijing-based AI lab, launched ZCode, a free desktop application designed as an agent-first development environment for its GLM-5.2 model. The tool competes directly with Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, and Google's Antigravity in the AI coding market. ZCode's pricing undercuts competitors significantly, with plans starting at $16.20 per month, and includes features like remote control via WeChat and Feishu, reflecting the company's focus on the Chinese developer market.