Baidu CEO Robin Li announced on Tuesday that their ChatGPT-like Ernie bot has now surpassed 200 million users. During his speech at Baidu’s AI Create conference, Li also revealed plans for another round of their AI development competition, with a prize of 50 million yuan ($7 million) up for grabs. The event, attended by around 5,000 people, showcased three development tools—AgentBuilder, AppBuilder, and ModelBuilder—that allow users to easily create AI-powered chatbots and applications without any coding knowledge.
The Ernie bot, based on Baidu’s large language model Ernie, was released over a year ago and has since gained approval for public use in Beijing. Major smartphone companies like Samsung and Honor have integrated Ernie’s AI capabilities into their devices, further expanding its reach. As of December, over 26,000 businesses were actively using Ernie’s capabilities, with the chatbot handling more than 50 million queries every day.
In recent years, there has been a global push to develop AI capabilities, particularly in content generation. This demand has led to an increased need for Nvidia’s graphics processing units, which are essential for running and training AI models. However, U.S. export controls have limited China’s access to these high-end semiconductors. Despite these challenges, Baidu remains optimistic about the future of AI development, with CEO Robin Li stating that AI revenues are expected to play a more significant role in the company’s growth by 2024.
Looking ahead, China is positioning itself as a key player in the AI industry, with analysts predicting that Chinese companies will gain an edge in the application of AI technology. The country’s AI market is projected to exceed $26 billion by 2026, with a focus on digital transformation driving significant growth. With China’s strong focus on innovation and technological advancement, it is likely that the country will continue to make strides in the AI industry.
In my opinion, the rapid development of AI technology in China presents both opportunities and challenges. While the country’s advancements in AI have the potential to drive economic growth and innovation, it also raises concerns about data privacy and security. As China continues to invest heavily in AI research and development, it will be crucial for policymakers to strike a balance between fostering innovation and protecting consumer rights. By creating a robust regulatory framework and promoting ethical AI practices, China can harness the full potential of AI technology while safeguarding the interests of its citizens.