Kai-fu Lee’s AI startup achieves $1 billion valuation in eight months Credit: 01.ai
01.AI, the AI unicorn founded by Kaifu Lee, has undergone multiple internal changes, according to 36Kr. The company plans to split its digital human business, with Yang Changpeng, head of digital human R&D, leading the new division and the AI video editing project SparkView, led by Lan Yuchuan, being spun off to focus on developing AI video editing tools. SparkView has already begun an independent funding round.
In a response to 36Kr, 01.AI emphasized its rapid growth, with revenue exceeding RMB 100 million ($13.8 million) last year, and its plans for continued expansion. The company also stated that it was adjusting its projects quickly, including increasing investment in some areas and shutting down others based on market demand. In 2025, 01.AI is prioritizing collaborations with tech giants while splitting its business for independent financing, it added. As part of its restructuring strategy, the company is shifting its focus toward lightweight AI models, moving away from super-large models. [36Kr, in Chinese]
