On August 12, Tencent released its financial report for the second quarter of 2026, revealing that AI products including Hunyuan, Yuanbao, WorkBuddy, CodeBuddy, and Xiaowei made a substantial contribution of 10.5 billion yuan to the Non-GAAP operating profit. This marks a notable surge compared to the first quarter. When delving into the investment strategy for AI products, Tencent President Martin Lau highlighted that the current approach is adaptable. The company maintains a cautious stance until clear growth prospects become evident. Once such opportunities are identified, investment will be ramped up, with a keen focus on long-term gains. Take WorkBuddy as an example; it's currently witnessing rapid growth. As a result, Tencent has given precedence to increasing investment in this product, while simultaneously reevaluating the priorities of other offerings. Lau stressed that if Tencent were to pivot to a business model centered solely on leasing computing power, it would instantly turn a profit. The company consistently keeps this option on the table, fostering a sense of 'relative confidence' in the development trajectory of its AI business.
