In the midst of the ongoing artificial intelligence (AI) race, China’s tech powerhouse, Baidu, has made a significant move by releasing its own ChatGPT competitor, named ERNIE Bot, to the general public.
Baidu, renowned for its cutting-edge AI technologies, initially introduced ERNIE Bot in mid-March. This move follows suit with several other tech giants in China, such as ByteDance and Alibaba, who have unveiled their AI chatbot models. However, until now, these products remained inaccessible to ordinary users, often entangled in waitlists and rigorous approval processes.
This release marks a major milestone as ERNIE Bot is the first indigenous AI app to be available to the general public in China. The company in a statement shared on Thursday expressed its excitement to roll out the app publicly.
According to the CEO of Baidu, Robin Li, the company will gain large feedback from users with the public release which will ultimately help to enhance the app quickly.
Safety Regulations on ERNIE Bot
ERNIE Bot, like other AI applications, relies on extensive data training to provide detailed responses to complex queries. Baidu, in compliance with Chinese regulatory standards, has implemented stringent safety measures and regulations for its AI app.
In particular, generative AI applications in China must adhere to certain socialist principles and refrain from actions that could jeopardize national security. These regulations reflect China’s commitment to advancing AI capabilities while simultaneously ensuring oversight over security and content.
A test conducted by the AFP news agency revealed that ERNIE Bot handled routine questions like “What are your hobbies?” with ease. However, on more sensitive topics such as the discussion of China’s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, the app responded with a cautious “Let us restart the discussion.”
The Chinese regulations also ensure that AI developers must carry out security assessments as well as file the assessment of their algorithm to the government if their app or product is suspected to have any impact on general public opinion.
ERNIE Bot’s availability is currently exclusive to iOS users, with the app gaining popularity on the country’s app store. However, access to ERNIE Bot is only to individuals with a valid Chinese Identification Number.
Photo Credit: Baidu
