Baidu launches upgraded AI model, says Ernie Bot hits 300 million users

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese search engine giant Baidu on Friday unveiled an upgraded version of its artificial intelligence (AI) model, Ernie 4.0 Turbo, as it seeks to maintain its position in China's competitive AI market.

The launch follows the October 2023 release of Ernie 4, which Baidu claimed rivaled OpenAI's GPT-4 in capabilities.

The new model will be accessible to the public via web and mobile app interfaces, with developers able to integrate the technology through Baidu's Qianfan AI platform, the company's Chief Technology Officer Wang Haifeng said at a corporate event.

Wang said its artificial intelligence chatbot Ernie Bot has reached 300 million users since its launch.

Baidu on Friday also announced an upgrade to its PaddlePaddle AI ecosystem, which it said now supports 14.65 million developers and serves 370,000 businesses and institutions.

OpenAI announced this week plans to block access to its API from China and other countries starting July 9. The decision affects numerous Chinese enterprises that have been using OpenAI's technology.

In response, Baidu, Alibaba and other domestic AI firms have launched initiatives to attract affected users, offering free migration services and incentives.

(This story has been corrected to clarify that the 300 million users figure refers to Ernie Bot, not Ernie, in the headline and paragraph 4, and to change the word 'startups' to 'enterprises' in paragraph 6)

(Reporting by Liam Mo and Casey Hall; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)