Former Toutiao CEO Chen Lin Confirms ByteDance Exit, Starts AI Education Venture

Chen Lin, former CEO of Toutiao, has publicly confirmed for the first time that he left ByteDance. He is now preparing an AI education startup called Xiaolu Aixue. He once led both Toutiao and ByteDance's education arm.

Chen recalled that after the education business shrank in 2022, he felt guilty seeing his team leave. Health issues also pushed him to step back. He spent two and a half years resting, trying investments and advising teams at ByteDance.

He said a rainy night by Sayram Lake in 2023 sparked the idea. As AI tools like ChatGPT replace human skills, he worries about the next generation. He hopes to help kids grow well in the AI era. He talked with Zhang Yiming before starting.