In a bold move signaling China’s stride in artificial intelligence (AI), Baidu Inc.’s CEO, Robin Li, announced the latest version of their AI chatbot, Ernie Bot 4.0, at the Baidu World 2023 conference in Beijing. Li showcased Ernie’s remarkable ability to provide nuanced answers and solve intricate puzzles in real time. The tech mogul declared that Ernie Bot 4.0 has reached a level of sophistication comparable to OpenAI’s renowned GPT-4, marking a significant achievement in the race for AI supremacy.
Baidu, often dubbed China’s Google equivalent, has been investing aggressively in AI technology after witnessing the disruptive potential demonstrated by ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI. Despite challenges posed by US sanctions on advanced chips and Beijing’s stringent censorship, Baidu has managed to forge ahead.
Ernie Bot, which previously surpassed 45 million users, was put through a series of rigorous tests during the conference. Li tested its capabilities by asking complex questions about buying property, solving mathematical problems, and even requesting the chatbot to compose a novel set in the world of ancient martial arts. These demonstrations highlighted Ernie Bot’s enhanced understanding, prompting, reasoning, and memorization abilities.
Baidu’s journey in the AI landscape began earlier this year when Ernie Bot 3.5 outperformed OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 in comprehension. Building on this success, Ernie Bot 4.0 has now achieved parity with OpenAI’s GPT-4, making it a formidable contender in the global AI arena.
However, the competition remains fierce. While Ernie Bot has made significant strides, it is essential to note that ChatGPT boasts an estimated 180 million users, highlighting the dominance of OpenAI’s technology. Moreover, the absence of official availability of foreign products like ChatGPT in mainland China or Hong Kong has spurred Chinese tech giants such as Baidu and Alibaba Group Holding to innovate and create their own AI solutions tailored to local sensitivities.
Chinese authorities have issued new guidelines and regulations to ensure AI-generated content aligns with official narratives. Baidu’s Ernie Bot has adapted to these regulations by avoiding sensitive topics and redirecting conversations when necessary.
As Baidu continues to integrate Ernie Bot into flagship products such as search, maps, file-sharing, work collaboration, and data analytics, the tech giant remains at the forefront of China’s AI revolution.
Related:
- ChatGPT introduces Voice and Image prompts, will initially roll out to Plus users
- Baidu’s Ernie Bot takes China by storm but faces challenges in public debut
- Snapchat will Now Let Users Embed Content, also Introduces AI-Powered Fill Features
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