After Using This AI Tool You Will Forget Chat GPT After extensive research, Chinese search engine operator Baidu has unveiled a chatbot similar to ChatGPT named Ernie Bot. Chinese developers are actively encouraging local talent to engage in artificial intelligence (AI) application development. With China’s vast internet user base, robust foundational models, abundant AI application scenarios, and comprehensive industrial systems, Baidu’s CEO addressed the audience at the company’s annual AI developers conference, emphasizing that anyone with sufficient knowledge can easily become an AI developer. He countered the notion that China lags behind in AI competition, highlighting the nation’s focus on developing technological applications.
Baidu’s recently unveiled AI tools enable individuals without coding expertise to design generative AI-driven chatbots tailored for specific tasks. These chatbots can subsequently be seamlessly integrated into websites, Baidu search engine outcomes, or various online platforms. This approach differs from OpenAI’s GPTs, which introduced a similar tool earlier this year. However, in the case of GPTs, these custom-designed chatbots, spanning tasks from recommending movies to troubleshooting code, operate within the ChatGPT interface.
The trial version of the Baidu AI tool will be available at no cost, albeit with certain extended usage restrictions. In contrast, OpenAI imposes a monthly subscription fee for access to the latest version of ChatGPT, including the capability to employ it for programming tasks. While the older ChatGPT 3.5 model is accessible without charge, it does not grant access to custom-built GPTs. Baidu’s new AI tool, on the other hand, offers free usage to all users, with optional premium features available for purchase at a specified price point.
This week, Baidu additionally unveiled three new iterations of its Ernie AI model: “Speed,” “Lite,” and “Tiny.” These variants are designed to cater to coders’ specific needs, offering a range of options based on the complexity of the task at hand. This strategic move reflects Baidu’s concentrated efforts to cultivate a comprehensive artificial intelligence ecosystem. By providing a complete suite of development tools and platform solutions, Baidu aims to address diverse requirements within the AI development landscape.
Baidu announced this week that since its launch in March last year, the Ernie bot has garnered over 200 million users. Furthermore, computer programs are tapping into the underlying AI model a staggering 200 million times daily. Additionally, the company revealed that over 85,000 business clients have leveraged its AI cloud platform to develop 190,000 AI applications.
During this week’s unveiling, the primary focus of this technology’s initial application was on consumer-oriented uses, notably in tourism, content creation such as picture books, and scheduling meetings. Moreover, Baidu’s business departments showcased demonstrations illustrating how AI tools could seamlessly integrate with virtual personas for live streaming purposes or channeling search engine traffic towards AI-driven interactive purchasing guides.
Indeed, this new technology appears notably superior to existing chatbot solutions, as mentioned by Ai co-founder Andy Qiu in his interview. He highlighted the ongoing challenge of building consumer trust in AI assistants and persuading users to engage in transactions. Qiu also noted that consumers in the U.S. currently exhibit greater interest in AI products compared to their counterparts in China.
In February, Li discussed during an earnings call the significance of Baidu’s AI chip reserve, emphasizing its role in continuously enhancing Ernie over the next one to two years. The company is slated to unveil its first-quarter results on May 16.
