Technology

Meituan co-founder Wang Huiwen returns to lead AI push after hiatus, report says

After selling his AI start-up Light Year to Meituan last year, Wang has reportedly returned to lead the company’s AI efforts.

Wang Huiwen, who stepped down last year as non-executive director and member of the nomination committee, will be partially in charge of Meituan’s generative AI endeavour, tech news site 36Kr reported on Wednesday, citing anonymous sources. Wang, 46, will head the so-called GN06 team to explore new AI-related opportunities. The team is independent from other Meituan business units, including the existing in-house team responsible for AI models, according to the report.

One of GN06’s flagship products is an AI companion called Wow. Meituan did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Shares of the company gained 5.

6 per cent on Thursday, closing at HK$199.9..