Baidu Released New AI Tool To Promote Application Development After extensive research, Chinese search engine operator Baidu has launched a chatbot named Ernie, akin to ChatGPT. Chinese developers are actively encouraging locals to engage in artificial intelligence application development. With a billion internet users, robust foundational models, abundant AI application scenarios, and a comprehensive industrial system, China stands out in the AI landscape. Baidu’s CEO, addressing the company’s annual AI developers conference, emphasized that anyone with sufficient knowledge can easily become a developer. He countered the notion that China lags in AI competition, highlighting the nation’s focus on developing technological applications.
Baidu’s recently unveiled AI tools enable individuals without coding expertise to develop specialized generative AI-driven chatbots tailored for specific purposes. These chatbots can seamlessly integrate into websites, Baidu search engine results, or other online platforms. This approach differs from OpenAI’s tool, GPTs, launched earlier this year, as the custom-built chatbots created using Baidu’s tools operate independently from the ChatGPT interface, serving a variety of functions such as suggesting movies or assisting with code troubleshooting.
The trial period for Baidu’s AI tool will be complimentary, albeit with certain extended limitations. In contrast, OpenAI charges a monthly subscription fee for access to the latest version of ChatGPT, including the capability to utilize it for computer programming tasks. While the older ChatGPT 3.5 model remains accessible without charge, it lacks access to custom-built GPTs. Baidu’s new AI tool offers universal access for free, with optional premium features available for purchase to unlock specific functionalities.
This week, Baidu unveiled three additional versions of its Ernie AI model: “Speed,” “Lite,” and “Tiny.” Developers can opt for these versions based on the intricacy of their tasks. This strategic move indicates Baidu’s commitment to building a comprehensive artificial intelligence ecosystem, offering a wide array of development tools and platform solutions to cater to diverse needs within the AI landscape.
This week, Baidu reported that the Ernie bot has garnered over 200 million users since its introduction in March of the previous year. Additionally, computer programs are tapping into the underlying AI model a staggering 200 million times daily. The company disclosed that over 85,000 business clients have leveraged its AI cloud platform to develop a total of 190,000 AI applications.
During this week’s unveiling, the primary applications of this technology were showcased in consumer-centric domains, particularly in tourism and content creation realms such as picture books and scheduling meetings. Additionally, Baidu’s business divisions demonstrated the integration of AI tools into various scenarios, such as virtual personalities hosting livestreams and directing search engine traffic towards AI-powered interactive purchasing guides.
Indeed, it’s worth exploring, as it appears to offer significant advantages over currently available chatbot options,” remarked Andy Qiu, co-founder of ChatGPT AI, during his interview. Qiu emphasized the ongoing need for improvement in establishing consumer trust in AI assistants and persuading users to make purchases. He noted a disparity in consumer interest between the U.S. and China, with U.S. consumers exhibiting greater enthusiasm for AI products. In February, Li, speaking during an earnings call, highlighted Baidu’s AI chip reserves, noting their role in enhancing Ernie over the next one to two years. Baidu is scheduled to announce its first-quarter results on May 16.
