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ByteDance Fires Intern for Sabotaging AI Training Project

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ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has terminated an intern for “maliciously interfering” with the training of one of its artificial intelligence (AI) models. The incident has garnered significant attention on social media over the weekend, prompting ByteDance to clarify the details surrounding the event.

The intern, who worked in the advertising technology team, reportedly lacked experience in the AI Lab. In a statement, ByteDance emphasized that the intern’s actions did not significantly disrupt its commercial online operations, including the company’s large language AI models.

ByteDance refuted claims that the incident led to over $10 million (£7.7 million) in damages by disrupting an AI training system reliant on thousands of powerful graphics processing units (GPUs). The company characterized such reports as containing “exaggerations and inaccuracies.”

In addition to firing the intern in August, ByteDance has notified the individual’s university and relevant industry bodies about the situation. The Chinese technology giant is known for its popular social media applications, including TikTok and its Chinese counterpart Douyin, and is recognized as a leader in algorithm development.

With a significant investment in AI, ByteDance utilizes the technology for various applications, including its Doubao chatbot, which has emerged as the most popular AI chatbot in China, as well as a text-to-video tool named Jimeng.

Chili’s Sales Surge with TikTok and Fast-Food Rivalry, as Brinker International’s Turnaround Gains Momentum

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Chili’s Grill & Bar, owned by Brinker International, has reported a nearly 15% increase in same-store sales in its latest quarter, driven by a viral TikTok appetizer and a strategic ad campaign targeting fast-food rivals. CEO Kevin Hochman attributes the chain’s strong performance to a two-year turnaround effort that is now resonating with customers. Despite a 53% rise in Brinker’s stock value this year, shares dropped 10.7% after a cautious fiscal 2025 outlook. However, analysts believe the market overreacted, leading to a partial recovery.

Chili’s success is largely credited to its $10.99 Big Smasher meal, which capitalized on customer dissatisfaction with fast-food pricing, and the Triple Dipper appetizer, which went viral on TikTok. These menu items have drawn a significant number of new and returning customers, creating operational challenges as the chain adapts to the increased demand.

Under Hochman’s leadership, Chili’s has streamlined its menu, reduced the use of coupons, and phased out less profitable ventures like the Maggiano’s Italian Classics virtual brand. The company has also focused on value offerings ahead of competitors, securing a lead in consumer awareness.

Looking forward, Brinker is playing it safe with its fiscal 2025 projections, anticipating earnings per share of $4.35 to $4.75 and revenue growth of 3% to 4.6%. With economic uncertainty and rising food costs, maintaining the momentum and retaining new customers could be challenging as other restaurants roll out competitive value deals. However, Hochman remains optimistic about Chili’s trajectory, citing the brand’s established market presence and value-driven strategy.

 

US Sues TikTok Over ‘Massive-Scale’ Privacy Violations of Kids Under 13

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The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against TikTok and its parent company ByteDance for allegedly failing to protect children’s privacy on the platform. The government claims TikTok violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which mandates parental consent for collecting personal information from users under 13.

TikTok, with around 170 million U.S. users, is also contesting a new law requiring ByteDance to divest its U.S. assets by January 19 or face a ban. The lawsuit, joined by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), aims to halt TikTok’s “unlawful massive-scale invasions of children’s privacy.” Representative Frank Pallone emphasized the need to separate TikTok from Chinese Communist Party control to safeguard American data.

TikTok disputes the allegations, stating many relate to past practices that have been addressed. The DOJ accuses TikTok of knowingly allowing children to create accounts and share content without parental consent, thereby collecting their personal information unlawfully.

FTC Chair Lina Khan highlighted TikTok’s repeated privacy violations, endangering millions of children. The FTC seeks penalties up to $51,744 per violation per day, potentially amounting to billions of dollars.