Baidu, China's top internet search engine company, has recently launched an updated version of its AI chatbot, Ernie 4.0. This new launch is seen as a direct competition to OpenAI's ChatGPT. The company is optimistic that Ernie 4.0, being an advanced version of the Large Language Model (LLM), will usher in a new phase of economic growth.
Although Ernie 4's latest model is not yet accessible to the public, Baidu's CEO is confident that it outperforms OpenAI's ChatGPT 4. This bot is notable for its capability to draft a car advertisement within minutes and solve intricate mathematical problems.
Following the launch, Baidu updated its service suite to integrate Ernie's latest upgrades. The enhancements are now reflected in Baidu’s search engine which will utilize Ernie 4.0 to provide more accurate results. Moreover, its mobile mapping app has been upgraded to help users easily book services like taxis.
In August 2023, Baidu entered the world of generative AI chatbots with the introduction of Ernie. This launch created a big buzz in China, and Ernie quickly became one of the most popular apps on Apple's iOS store with a remarkable 45 million users. This success encouraged Baidu to shift its focus towards becoming an internet service company specializing in AI-related services.
The LLM (Language Model Market) in China is experiencing remarkable growth, currently boasting at least 130 LLMs. These models make up a substantial 40% of the global total. This rapid growth has put Baidu in direct competition with rivals like Alibaba and SenseTime, who have also introduced their AI chatbot tools.
However, Baidu says its AI tool stands out because it's really good at understanding questions and can give different types of responses, like videos and audio. As a result, Baidu maintains its position as the top player in China and also the first Chinese tech giant to modernize its product lineup with AI models significantly.
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