Baidu, the Chinese tech giant, has recently unveiled its latest generative AI model, Ernie 4.0. This model is claimed to possess capabilities on par with OpenAI's GPT-4.
What Is Ernie 4.0?
Ernie 4.0 stands for "Enhanced Representation through Knowledge Integration 4.0." It's an evolution of its predecessor, Ernie 3.0, which was released in 2022.
Ernie 4.0 is a generative AI model capable of producing text, images, videos, and audio based on input. It boasts high memory capacity, enabling it to recall relevant information from various sources.
A standout feature of Ernie 4.0 is its ability to write novels with a martial arts theme. CEO of Baidu, Robin Li, demonstrated this during the Ernie 4.0 launch event in Beijing, China.
Comparing Ernie 4.0 with GPT-4
GPT-4 is a generative AI model developed by OpenAI, a non-profit AI research organization founded by Elon Musk and Peter Thiel. It's an advancement of GPT-3, released in 2021.
GPT-4, like Ernie 4.0, can generate text, images, videos, and audio based on input. It also possesses strong memory capabilities, enabling it to recall relevant information.
Baidu claims that Ernie 4.0 matches GPT-4 in both the quality and quantity of its outputs. Baidu also asserts that Ernie 4.0 excels in computational efficiency and adaptability to different environments.
However, these claims remain unverified due to the absence of a public release of GPT-4 by OpenAI. As of now, only a few GPT-4 output examples have surfaced on social media.
Market Response to Ernie 4.0
Despite Baidu's enthusiastic showcasing of Ernie 4.0's capabilities, the market seems less enthusiastic about this latest generative AI model. Baidu's stocks in Hong Kong dropped by 1.32% after Ernie 4.0's launch, contrasting with a 0.7% increase in the Hang Seng Index.
One reason for the stock drop is the perceived lack of significant new features in Ernie 4.0 compared to its predecessor. IDC analyst Lu Yanxia noted a lack of concrete updates in Ernie 4.0.
Lu also mentioned more interesting announcements during the Ernie 4.0 launch, such as the integration of generative AI in various Baidu products, including Baidu Drive and Baidu Map.
With this integration, Baidu Map users can access app functions using natural language commands instead of traditional search methods.
What Does the Future Hold for Ernie 4.0?
Baidu is China's largest search engine creator and a market leader in AI model development in China. This rise coincides with the increasing popularity of AI following the success of the ChatGPT release last year.
The first Ernie chatbot was showcased in March under the name ErnieBot, although the unveiling was somewhat disappointing as the demonstration was through recorded videos rather than a live presentation.
In August, Baidu was granted permission by the government to release AI products to the public. Shortly after its release, Ernie garnered a substantial user base, with claims by Baidu CTO Wang Haifeng of up to 45 million users.
Baidu aims to enhance user experiences and expand its presence in the generative AI field with Ernie 4.0. The company also plans to continue developing Ernie 4.0 by adding new features and improving output quality.
Additionally, Baidu aspires to compete with other generative AI models, both within and outside of China, and remains open to collaboration with OpenAI or other companies in future generative AI model development.
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