Zhang Chaoyang: Sohu Cannot Afford Large Models, Short Dramas May Be a Flash in the Pan

According to China Blue News, on November 6, at the 2026 World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Sohu founder, chairman of the board, and CEO Zhang Chaoyang admitted that he "missed the mobile internet." In the face of major companies heavily investing in large models, he explained that the outside world perceives Sohu's attitude towards AI as "calm," but "it is actually a conscious choice," because "large models require resource competition, which we cannot afford."

When discussing algorithms and social interaction, Zhang Chaoyang stated that he does not oppose algorithms, but in product design, he chose not to pursue algorithmic recommendations, believing that some users would prefer to obtain information through real human social interactions. Regarding the short drama sector, he judged that the popularity of short dramas in China has not been replicated in the U.S. market, where American users still prefer long dramas and movies, saying, "The phenomenon of short dramas may be fleeting, or it may be a part of the future." He revealed that he does not watch short dramas, let alone AI short dramas.