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Chinese Firms Uninstall OpenClaw AI Agent — episode cover art
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为什么中国公司突然卸载免费开源人工智能奥本克劳?

Chinese Firms Uninstall OpenClaw AI Agent

About this story

Why Baidu, Tencent, and WeChat-era firms are uninstalling OpenClaw — server costs, code security, and competitor risk. HSK 3 Chinese listening practice.

This is an HSK 3-4 Chinese listening episode that runs about 8 minutes. The full Mandarin script is shown with tap-for-pinyin and a line-by-line English translation, so you can listen and read at once — comprehensible input in the sense of Stephen Krashen's i+1 theory. It teaches 10 key vocabulary words such as 卸载、开源、代码 and walks through 4 grammar patterns, each explained in English with examples. The same news story is retold at 4 difficulty levels — use the level selector above to find the version that is challenging but still understandable for you.

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原文

Read the complete story in Chinese. Reveal pinyin and English only when you need them.

最近,很多人都在讨论一个叫“奥本克劳”的软件。
它是一个免费的人工智能助手。
可是,中国很多公司最近突然开始卸载这个软件。
卸载就是把它从电脑里彻底删掉。
为什么大家都不想用它了呢?
这其实是一个非常有趣,也值得研究的问题。
我们先来看看“奥本克劳”到底是什么。
在过去的一年里,人工智能技术非常火。
“奥本克劳”就是其中一个很有名的程序。
它最大的特点就是免费和开源。
开源的意思是,任何人都可以看到它的代码。
你不但可以免费下载它,还可以自己修改它。
因为这个原因,一开始有很多中国公司使用它。
大家都觉得,既然是免费的,为什么不用呢?
它能帮程序员写代码,也能帮经理整理数据。
它工作的速度比普通人快很多倍。
所以,几个月前,它在中国非常受欢迎。
但是,情况最近发生了很大的改变。
很多人发现,这个软件其实没有那么好用。
第一个原因,是网络和系统的问题。
虽然这个软件本身是免费的。
但是它需要连接国外的网络才能工作。
我们都知道,在中国使用国外的网络不太方便。
很多时候,网络的速度非常慢,甚至会断开。
如果网络不好,这个软件就不能正常工作。
有时候,你让它帮你写一段简单的代码。
它可能需要等十分钟才能给你结果。
这样一来,工作的效率变得更低了。
大家觉得这太麻烦了,所以放弃了它。
大家使用人工智能,就是为了减少工作的时间。
如果它比人还要慢,那它就没有价值了。
第二个重要的原因,是信息的安全问题。
对很多大公司来说,数据和信息就是生命。
“奥本克劳”在工作的时候,需要很多数据。
如果你让它帮你分析公司的财务情况。
你就必须把公司的财务数据发给它。
因为它的服务器在国外,这就非常危险。
公司老板会担心,这些重要的信息会被别人看到。
如果公司的秘密被竞争对手发现了,结果会很严重。
比如,你们公司计划下个月推出一个新产品。
你让这个软件帮你写一份详细的计划书。
那么这个软件就知道了你们的所有计划。
如果这些信息不小心被发到了网上。
别的公司就可以提前准备,抢走你们的客人。
为了保护公司的安全,经理们决定不再使用它。
他们要求所有的员工把这个软件从电脑上删掉。
这是一种保护自己的办法。
现在很多大公司都有严格的规定。
禁止员工把公司的文件上传到国外的网络。
这也是为了防止信息被别人偷走。
第三个原因,是使用习惯和语言的问题。
“奥本克劳”是西方人发明的软件。
所以它的英语非常好,但是中文就不太行。
当中国人用中文给它安排任务的时候。
它经常听不懂,或者理解错误。
比如,你让它写一个符合中国市场的广告。
它写出来的东西,中国人觉得很奇怪。
它不了解中国的文化,也不了解中国人的习惯。
这让很多使用者感到非常失望。
既然它不能很好地理解中文,大家就不想用了。
第四个原因,是中国自己的人工智能发展得很快。
现在,中国国内也有很多优秀的人工智能软件。
很多大公司,比如百度和腾讯,都推出了自己的产品。
这些国内的软件不但很聪明,而且非常了解中国。
它们懂中文,知道中国人的工作习惯。
比如,中国人喜欢用微信沟通。
国内的软件就可以直接和微信连接起来。
这样大家在使用的时候就觉得非常方便。
更重要的是,它们的服务器都在中国国内。
所以,使用这些国内软件非常安全。
网络速度也很快,不会出现连接不上的情况。
既然有了更好的选择,大家当然会换新的软件。
这就像买手机一样。
如果有更便宜、更好用的手机,你肯定会换。
最后,大家发现“免费”其实是一个大麻烦。
虽然下载“奥本克劳”是不需要花钱的。
但是,要让它在电脑上顺利运行,需要很高的条件。
它不仅需要非常好的电脑设备。
而且,它在工作的时候,还需要调用其他的收费程序。
每一次调用这些程序,都需要付一点钱。
虽然每一次的钱很少,但是一天下来就很贵了。
算下来,每个月花的钱其实比买一个国内软件还要多。
这让很多想省钱的公司觉得很后悔。
大家都以为开源的软件能帮公司减少成本。
实际上,它给公司带来了更大的经济压力。
不仅是钱的压力,还有时间的压力。
因为它是开源的,所以经常会出现各种错误。
公司必须安排专门的工程师去检查和修理它。
这也需要花很多时间和精力去管理。
因为这些原因,大家对这个软件的态度改变了。
从一开始的激动和欢迎,变成了现在的拒绝。
很多科技新闻也报道了这种现象。
记者采访了一些程序员和公司经理。
他们都表示,放弃这个软件是一个正确的决定。
在商业世界里,效率和安全永远是最重要的。
如果一个工具不能提高效率,那它就没有价值。
人工智能技术每天都在进步,每天都有新的发明。
今天流行的软件,明天可能就会被大家放弃。
这也是科技发展的一个正常过程。
“奥本克劳”在中国的经历,给了我们很多教训。
它告诉我们,一个好用的技术不仅要优秀。
还要适应当地的环境,满足当地人的需求。
如果不考虑这些具体的情况,再好的技术也会失败。
现在,中国的公司正在积极开发自己的智能助手。
他们把更多的钱投资在自己的技术上。
他们希望未来能有完全属于中国的人工智能。
这不仅是为了安全,也是为了在国际上有竞争力。
虽然这个过程可能会遇到很多困难。
但是,大家对未来的发展还是充满信心的。
科技的发展就像是一场马拉松比赛。
谁能笑到最后,现在还很难说。
不过有一点是肯定的,竞争会让技术变得更好。
对于普通人来说,这其实是一件好事。
因为我们可以用到更方便、更聪明的工具。
不管是什么名字的软件,只要好用就行。
未来几年,人工智能会继续改变我们的生活。
English transcript reference

Recently, many people have been discussing a piece of software called "OpenClaw."

It is a free artificial intelligence assistant.

However, many Chinese companies have recently started suddenly uninstalling this software.

Uninstalling means completely deleting it from the computer.

Why does nobody want to use it anymore?

This is actually a very interesting and worthy question to study.

Let's first take a look at what "OpenClaw" really is.

Over the past year, artificial intelligence technology has been extremely hot.

"OpenClaw" is one of the most well-known programs among them.

Its biggest feature is that it's free and open-source.

Open-source means that anyone can see its code.

Not only can you download it for free, but you can also modify it yourself.

Because of this, many Chinese companies used it in the beginning.

Everyone thought, since it's free, why not use it?

It can help programmers write code and help managers organize data.

It works many times faster than an ordinary person.

So, a few months ago, it was very popular in China.

But recently, the situation has changed dramatically.

Many people discovered that this software wasn't actually that easy to use.

The first reason is network and system issues.

Although the software itself is free,

it needs to connect to overseas networks to work.

We all know that using overseas networks in China is not very convenient.

Many times, the network speed is very slow, or it even disconnects.

If the network is bad, the software cannot work properly.

Sometimes, you ask it to help you write a simple piece of code.

It might need to wait ten minutes before giving you a result.

As a result, work efficiency actually becomes lower.

Everyone felt this was too troublesome, so they gave up on it.

The whole point of people using AI is to reduce working time.

If it's even slower than a person, then it has no value.

The second important reason is the issue of information security.

For many large companies, data and information are their lifeblood.

When "OpenClaw" is working, it needs a lot of data.

If you ask it to help you analyze the company's financial situation,

you have to send the company's financial data to it.

Because its servers are overseas, this is very dangerous.

Company bosses worry that this important information could be seen by others.

If the company's secrets are discovered by competitors, the consequences are very serious.

For example, your company is planning to launch a new product next month.

You ask this software to help you write a detailed plan.

Then this software knows all of your plans.

If this information is accidentally posted online,

other companies can prepare in advance and steal your customers.

To protect the company's security, managers have decided to stop using it.

They require all employees to delete this software from their computers.

This is a way to protect themselves.

Now many large companies have strict regulations.

They prohibit employees from uploading company files to overseas networks.

This is also to prevent information from being stolen by others.

The third reason is the issue of usage habits and language.

"OpenClaw" is software invented by Westerners.

So its English is very good, but its Chinese is not so great.

When Chinese people give it tasks in Chinese,

it often doesn't understand, or misinterprets them.

For example, you ask it to write an advertisement suited for the Chinese market.

What it produces, Chinese people find very strange.

It doesn't understand Chinese culture, nor does it understand Chinese people's habits.

This made many users feel very disappointed.

Since it can't understand Chinese well, people don't want to use it.

The fourth reason is that China's own AI has been developing very quickly.

Now, within China, there are many excellent AI software programs.

Many large companies, such as Baidu and Tencent, have launched their own products.

These domestic software programs are not only smart but also very knowledgeable about China.

They understand Chinese and know Chinese people's work habits.

For example, Chinese people like to communicate using WeChat.

Domestic software can directly connect with WeChat.

This makes it feel very convenient for everyone when they use it.

More importantly, their servers are all located within China.

So using these domestic software programs is very safe.

The network speed is also very fast, with no connectivity issues.

Since there's a better choice available, people will naturally switch to new software.

It's just like buying a phone.

If there's a cheaper and better phone, you'll definitely switch.

Finally, everyone discovered that "free" is actually a big headache.

Although downloading "OpenClaw" doesn't cost any money,

to get it running smoothly on a computer requires very high specifications.

It not only needs very good computer equipment,

but also, when it's working, it needs to call other paid programs.

Each time it calls these programs, you have to pay a little money.

Although the cost is small each time, over a whole day it adds up to a lot.

When you do the math, the monthly cost is actually more than buying a domestic software license.

This made many companies that wanted to save money feel very regretful.

Everyone thought open-source software could help companies reduce costs.

In reality, it brought even greater financial pressure to companies.

It's not just financial pressure, but also time pressure.

Because it's open-source, various errors frequently appear.

Companies must assign dedicated engineers to check and fix it.

This also requires a lot of time and effort to manage.

Because of all these reasons, people's attitude toward this software has changed.

From the initial excitement and welcome, it has turned to rejection.

Many tech news outlets have also reported on this phenomenon.

Reporters interviewed some programmers and company managers.

They all said that giving up this software was the right decision.

In the business world, efficiency and security are always the most important things.

If a tool cannot improve efficiency, then it has no value.

AI technology is making progress every day, with new inventions appearing daily.

Software that is popular today might be abandoned by everyone tomorrow.

This is also a normal part of the process of technological development.

"OpenClaw's" experience in China has given us many lessons.

It tells us that a useful technology must not only be excellent,

but must also adapt to the local environment and meet local people's needs.

If these specific conditions are not considered, even the best technology will fail.

Now, Chinese companies are actively developing their own intelligent assistants.

They are investing more money in their own technology.

They hope that in the future there will be AI that completely belongs to China.

This is not only for security but also for international competitiveness.

Although this process may encounter many difficulties,

everyone remains confident about future development.

The development of technology is like a marathon race.

Who will have the last laugh is still hard to say for now.

But one thing is certain: competition will make technology better.

For ordinary people, this is actually a good thing.

Because we get to use more convenient and smarter tools.

No matter what the software is called, as long as it works well, that's what matters.

In the coming years, AI will continue to change our lives.

Listen again

Try it without the transcript and notice what sounds clearer.

What vocabulary does this episode teach?

词汇
xiè zǎito uninstall

To remove software from a computer or device. 卸 (unload) + 载 (carry/load).

kāi yuánopen-source

Software whose source code is publicly available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute.

dài mǎcode (programming)

Instructions written in a programming language. A fundamental term in tech vocabulary.

fú wù qìserver

A computer that provides data or services to other computers over a network.

jìng zhēng duì shǒucompetitor; rival

A person or company competing against you in the same market or field.

xiào lǜefficiency

The ratio of useful output to total input. How well resources are used to achieve goals.

chéng běncost

The total expense required to produce or acquire something. A key business term.

tóu zīinvestment; to invest

Putting money or resources into something with the expectation of returns.

shì yìngto adapt; to adjust to

To change or modify oneself to fit new conditions or environments.

diào yòngto call; to invoke (a program)

A technical term meaning to request the execution of a function or external service in computing.

* beyond level超纲词

What grammar patterns appear in this episode?

语法

虽然...但是... (suī rán... dàn shì...)

The standard concessive structure meaning "although... but..." In Chinese, both halves are typically stated, unlike English where "but" would suffice after "although."

虽然这个软件本身是免费的,但是它需要连接国外的网络才能工作。

虽然每一次的钱很少,但是一天下来就很贵了。

不但...还/而且... (bù dàn... hái/ér qiě...)

Means "not only... but also..." Used to add additional information that goes beyond the first point, often escalating in significance.

你不但可以免费下载它,还可以自己修改它。

这些国内的软件不但很聪明,而且非常了解中国。

既然...就... (jì rán... jiù...)

Means "since/given that... then..." Used when the first clause states an established fact, and the second clause draws a natural conclusion.

既然是免费的,为什么不用呢?

既然有了更好的选择,大家当然会换新的软件。

如果...就... (rú guǒ... jiù...)

The standard conditional structure meaning "if... then..." Used for hypothetical situations and their consequences.

如果网络不好,这个软件就不能正常工作。

如果不考虑这些具体的情况,再好的技术也会失败。

Proper nouns

专有名词
奥本克劳Ào běn kè láoOpenClaw (fictional open-source AI assistant)百度Bǎi dùBaidu (Chinese tech company)腾讯Téng xùnTencent (Chinese tech company)微信Wēi xìnWeChat (messaging app)

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