China Green Lights Rollout of AI Chatbots as It Enters Global AI Race

Quincy Jon, Tech Times 31 August 2023, 11:08 am

China has given the go-ahead for its IT behemoths to make their AI-powered chatbots, similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT, available to the general public.

The decision marks an important step in China's attempts to broaden the use of AI services and technologies, especially in light of aggressive international competition, particularly concerning the United States.

Following formal approval from the Chinese government, the "big four" technology firms in China, including tech heavyweights Baidu and SenseTime, have made their AI chatbots available to the general public, according to Firstpost.

Chinese Rivals of ChatGPT Now Accessible

The most popular search engine online in China, Baidu, has launched Ernie Bot, an alternative to ChatGPT that is now open to the general public. Following official clearance, SenseTime Group also made its chatbot, SenseChat, accessible to all users. In addition, two AI businesses, Zhipu AI and Baichuan Intelligent Technology, have made their chatbot services available to the general public.

Unlike many other nations, China mandates businesses to undergo security evaluations and get government authorization before launching mass-market AI products. The recent flurry of approvals demonstrates China's dedication to fostering AI development and its importance to global competitiveness.

In response to OpenAI's ChatGPT's widespread appeal, Chinese IT firms have swiftly unveiled generative AI projects. It is important to note that China has implemented limitations on websites like Google and Facebook, and ChatGPT is blocked in China.

China's leadership has stressed the need to create indigenous technology, focusing on artificial intelligence, despite the country's rigorous control over its technological environment. China's "interim regulation" for controlling generative AI services went into force on August 15.

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As long as the goods are not accessible to the general public, these requirements do not apply to AI technology firms. This strategy is more flexible than the previous draft, which suggested enforcing regulations even during the study phase. The requirements no longer demand a blanket license, unless required by law.

When Will Alibaba Join The AI Race?

Meanwhile, an Alibaba Cloud representative said that files for its AI model, Tongyi Qianwen, have been finished and await a formal introduction. However, it is still being determined if Alibaba has gained clearance. The tech giant expects authorities to provide a list of authorized firms next week, as reported by Reuters.

In the very competitive Chinese internet market, gaining a first-mover advantage is crucial. Following its release, Baidu's Ernie Bot quickly rose to the top of the free software category in Apple's software Store in China, demonstrating the importance of entering the market early.

According to experts, businesses that succeed in getting clearance have an edge over rivals because they can quickly fine-tune their goods. Robin Li, the CEO of Baidu, characterized the new laws as "pro-innovation," expressing hope for a more supportive legislative climate for innovation, per a CNBC report.

While China advances AI, OpenAI, the manufacturer of ChatGPT and supported by Microsoft, is expected to make over $1 billion in income next year, according to tech journal The Information.