Baidu Unveils Ernie 4.0, a Rival to OpenAI’s GPT-4 Model
Men interact with a Baidu AI robot near the company logo at its headquarters in Beijing, China 23 April, 2021.
Photo: Reuters
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Men interact with a Baidu AI robot near the company logo at its headquarters in Beijing, China 23 April, 2021.
Photo: Reuters
Chinese technology giant Baidu introduced their latest generative artificial intelligence (AI) model, Ernie 4.0, which they claim is equivalent in capabilities to OpenAI’s GPT-4 model.
During an event in Beijing, CEO Robin Li showcased Ernie 4.0’s impressive memory capabilities by demonstrating its real-time writing of a martial arts novel. The model also drew attention by creating advertising materials such as posters and videos.
However, industry analysts were not entirely impressed by the launch of Ernie 4.0. Lu Yanxia, an analyst at industry consultancy IDC, stated that the new version lacked significant improvements compared to its predecessor.
Following the announcement, Baidu’s Hong Kong shares experienced a decline of 1.32% in morning trading, while the broader Hang Seng Index saw a rise of 0.7%.
Lu commented, “We should see significant improvements once Ernie 4.0 is used hands-on, but concrete upgrades aren’t immediately clear.”
Alongside the launch of Ernie 4.0, Baidu also revealed their integration of generative AI across all their products, including Baidu Drive and Baidu Maps. This integration aims to enhance user experience and accessibility.
The demonstration showcased how Baidu Map now enables users to access various functions simply by using natural language queries, powered by Ernie. Previously, users had to sift through thousands of options to find what they were looking for.
Baidu, known for owning China’s largest internet search engine, is a key player in the development of AI models in the country. This aligns with the global enthusiasm surrounding the technology, which was ignited by the introduction of ChatGPT from OpenAI last year.
In March, Baidu launched a chatbot called ErnieBot, utilizing the power of Ernie. However, some investors were disappointed as they were only shown pre-recorded demonstrations during the event.
In August, Baidu received government approval along with several other companies to release their AI products to the public. Since then, Ernie has gained a user base of 45 million, according to Wang Haifeng, Baidu’s chief technology officer.
China currently boasts at least 130 large language models (LLMs), accounting for 40% of the global total and ranking second after the United States’ 50%, as reported by CLSA.
Last week, the Beijing government published proposed security requirements for companies offering AI-powered services. These requirements include a blacklist of sources that cannot be used to train AI models.
Baidu’s Ernie 4.0: A Strong Competitor to OpenAI’s GPT-4 Model
Baidu, the renowned Chinese technology giant, has unveiled its latest generative artificial intelligence (AI) model, Ernie 4.0. This cutting-edge model is being positioned as a direct rival to OpenAI’s GPT-4 model. The CEO of Baidu, Robin Li, introduced Ernie 4.0 during a recent event held in Beijing. Li emphasized the model’s remarkable memory capabilities, showcasing its ability to write a martial arts novel in real-time and even create advertising posters and videos.
Despite the hype surrounding Ernie 4.0, industry analysts have expressed skepticism about its actual advancements compared to its predecessor. Lu Yanxia, an analyst at IDC, commented that the launch lacked major highlights. Consequently, Baidu’s Hong Kong shares experienced a decline of 1.32% in morning trading, while the broader Hang Seng Index saw a modest rise of 0.7%.
Baidu Integrates Generative AI Across All Products
Beyond Ernie 4.0, Baidu made another significant announcement at the event. The technology giant revealed its integration of generative AI across all its products, including Baidu Drive and Baidu Maps. This move is aimed at delivering enhanced user experiences and greater accessibility.
To illustrate this integration, CEO Robin Li demonstrated how Baidu Maps now enables users to seamlessly access various functions through natural language queries powered by Ernie. Previously, users had to navigate through an extensive list of options, but with this new feature, they can find what they’re looking for more efficiently.
Baidu’s Role as an AI Leader in China
Baidu’s dominance in the Chinese AI market aligns with the global surge of interest in this technology triggered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT. China currently boasts a total of 130 large language models (LLMs), representing 40% of the global market share, second only to the United States. This data, provided by brokerage CLSA, highlights China’s pivotal role in advancing AI technology.
Earlier this year, Baidu introduced a chatbot known as ErnieBot, which utilizes the power of Ernie. Despite the initial excitement surrounding the chatbot’s launch, some investors were disappointed as they were only shown pre-recorded demonstrations.
Nevertheless, Baidu received government approval, along with other companies, to release their AI products to the public. Ernie, in particular, has gained significant traction, amassing an impressive user base of 45 million since becoming available to the public. Wang Haifeng, Baidu’s chief technology officer, shared this achievement during the event.
Beijing’s Proposed Security Requirements for AI-powered Services
In recent news, the Beijing government published proposed security requirements for companies that offer AI-powered services. These requirements include a blacklist of sources prohibited for training AI models. Such regulations aim to address potential risks associated with AI technology and ensure the responsible and secure development of AI applications.
Editor Notes: Encouraging the Advancement of AI Technology
The unveiling of Baidu’s Ernie 4.0 serves as another testament to the rapid progress of AI technology. As AI models continue to evolve, companies like Baidu are pushing boundaries and innovating to provide advanced AI capabilities to users worldwide.
These developments also highlight the importance of responsible AI development and the need for regulations to safeguard against potential misuse. By implementing AI security requirements, governments can strike a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring user safety.
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