Baidu's Ernie Chatbot Public Rollout Spurs 6 Million Users, New AI Apps

Baidu, the Chinese tech giant, is making waves in the artificial intelligence (AI) world with its recent public rollout of the Ernie chatbot.

CNBC reports that the move comes just days after the chatbot's release, and it has already garnered widespread public approval, with over 6 million users embracing its AI-powered capabilities.

Alongside this success, Baidu has introduced a slew of cutting-edge AI applications that promise to reshape the digital landscape.

Ernie Chatbot's Success

Baidu's Ernie chatbot, a generative AI service, has been making noise since its initial limited release. However, it officially made its mark on August 31, when it became public.

This development is significant, given the stringent regulations imposed by the Chinese government on AI technology.

However, China recently lifted restrictions on several generative AI services, including Ernie, as part of its broader efforts to regulate the technology landscape.

Other approved services include AI specialists like SenseTime, Baichuan, founded by Sogou's Wang Xiaochuan, and state-backed Zhipu AI.

Gizmochina tells us that Ernie's debut was nothing short of spectacular, with an astounding 2.4 million downloads across various Android app stores and over 313,610 downloads on Apple's Chinese iOS store within its first day of availability.

Driven by curiosity, users flooded the platform with questions, amassing an astonishing 33 million inquiries in just 24 hours.

Baidu's New AI Applications

With Ernie's successful public launch, Baidu unveiled a slew of new AI-based applications designed to cater to various needs and industries.

Among them, one of the most notable is the WPS AI, a generative AI-integrated word processing app created by Shanghai-listed Kingsoft Office.

This tool leverages the same AI model powering Ernie and is integrated with Baidu's "Qianfan" cloud platform for AI models.

Even more impressive is the staggering adoption of Baidu's Qianfan cloud platform by nearly 10,000 businesses each month.

Challenges and Biases

While Ernie's rapid adoption is undeniable, it is not without its challenges.

Gizmochina mentions in the same report that users have reported difficulties in receiving specific responses, with instances where the chatbot either failed to reply or delivered biased answers.

For instance, when asked which of the founders of Baidu, Alibaba Group Holding, and Tencent Holdings could be considered "capitalist," Ernie pointed to the founders of Alibaba and Tencent but conspicuously excluded Baidu's founder, Robin Li.

What's Next?

As China continues to embrace generative AI, finding the right balance between innovation and responsible AI use will be an ongoing concern.

The challenges Ernie faced in providing accurate and impartial responses to sensitive queries underscore the complexities involved in AI development.

Nevertheless, Baidu's Ernie chatbot has ushered in a new era of AI engagement, capturing the imagination of millions while signaling a bright future for AI applications in China.

In other news, OpenAI, the pioneer of the artificial intelligence (AI) race, is on track to smash revenue estimates, aiming for an astounding $1 billion this year.

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