36Kr Daily Hot List - 2026-02-23

36Kr Daily Hot List for 2026-02-23. Tech and business news explained simply.

Why do hotel beds always have four pillows?

Hotels put four pillows on beds because everyone sleeps differently—some like one, some like two stacked, some use extras for back or knee support—so having extras ready makes sure most guests can get comfy without the hotel having to guess what each person needs.

Who won the 80 billion AI battle during Chinese New Year?

Big tech companies spent over 80 billion yuan during Chinese New Year giving away free stuff and cash through their AI apps to get people used to asking AI for help with everyday tasks like ordering food and booking travel, because whoever gets people to rely on their AI first will likely control the next big tech trend.

Young people are turning bathhouses into affordable holiday spots during Chinese New Year

Young folks are choosing fancy bath centers with food, games, and pools for their holiday fun because it's cheaper and more relaxing than regular hotels or trips.

OpenAI's big fight: Boss fired because top scientist was jealous of his student's success

The head scientist at OpenAI got so jealous when his student made a huge breakthrough that he helped kick the CEO out, causing a big mess at the company because talented people left.

AI stocks go crazy in the Year of the Horse's first market day

Two Chinese AI companies saw their stock prices shoot up like crazy on the first trading day after the Lunar New Year break, showing how much money people think this new AI technology can make.

Google Bets Big to Become AI King

Google's parent company is spending a huge amount of money—over a trillion yuan—to build more powerful AI systems, because the race to lead in artificial intelligence is now a fight between giant tech companies with deep pockets, and smaller startups are getting left behind.

Small-town fancy coffee shops rely on the New Year holiday to stay afloat

Fancy coffee shops in small towns are having a hard time making money most of the year, so they really need the busy New Year holiday to earn enough to keep their doors open.

Loyalty in Silicon Valley is dead: Anyone will jump ship for enough money

Big tech companies are paying crazy amounts of money to steal each other's top AI workers, which means people are switching jobs for cash instead of sticking with a company they believe in.

AI companies are throwing money around and raising money like crazy

Two Chinese AI companies, Doubao Qianwen and Moonshot AI, are in a big money race—one is spending tons on marketing to get users, while the other just raised over $7 billion from investors because everyone's excited about AI's potential and wants a piece of the action before it gets even bigger.

Why was the first spot on the Spring Festival Gala given to a robot vacuum?

A robot vacuum was the first smart gadget shown on China's biggest TV show because these machines have become common in homes and show how Chinese tech is now leading the world.

Fliggy: Chinese New Year domestic travel hits record high, hotel stays jump 75%

More people traveled within China during the holiday than ever before, with hotel stays up 75%, because longer breaks let folks take trips during the holiday itself instead of just before or after.

DeSight to temporarily stop trading on February 23rd, waiting to share important news

A company called DeSight is pausing its stock trading for a short time because they're about to announce they're buying something big, which matters because it could change how much their stock is worth.

Samsung makes big battery breakthrough

Samsung found a way to make a new type of battery last longer and be safer, which means we might get phones and gadgets that hold more power and don't need charging as often.

Electric car stocks in Hong Kong are going up

Electric car company stocks in Hong Kong went up a lot today because more people are buying electric cars and the companies are doing well, which means investors think these companies are worth more money.

Fewer young Koreans are buying new cars than ever before

Young people in Korea are buying fewer new cars because they're feeling the pinch in their wallets and it's easier to just rent a car with an app when they need one.