26th May 2023 – (Beijing) Baidu CEO Robin Li announced on Friday that the company will soon launch Ernie 3.5, a generative AI large-language model that will power Baidu’s ChatGPT-like app Ernie Bot and upgrade its search engine. Li made the announcement at the Zhongguancun Forum, one of China’s foremost technology forums.
Ernie 3.5 is the latest iteration of Baidu’s Ernie series of AI language models. It is expected to offer improved performance in natural language processing, text generation, and other language-related tasks. Baidu has been testing the model with a select group of companies and users for the past two months, gathering feedback and fine-tuning the technology.
The launch of Ernie 3.5 is a significant development for Baidu as it seeks to remain competitive in the AI and search engine markets. The company faces stiff competition from other tech giants such as Google and Alibaba, who are also investing heavily in AI and language processing technologies.
Ernie Bot, the chatbot powered by Baidu’s language model, has received mixed reviews since its initial launch. Some users have praised its ability to understand and respond to natural language queries, while others have criticized its limited functionality and lack of personality. The launch of Ernie 3.5 is expected to address some of these issues and improve the chatbot’s performance.
In addition to powering Ernie Bot, Baidu’s new language model is also expected to upgrade the company’s search engine capabilities. Baidu is one of China’s leading search engines, and the incorporation of advanced AI technology could help it maintain its position in the market.