In a significant stride towards AI integration, Chinese tech behemoth Baidu unveiled over ten new AI-based applications on Tuesday, including its ChatGPT-like Ernie bot. This comes hot on the heels of the public release of the Ernie bot, signaling governmental approval for the AI-powered chatbot. Among the innovative product releases was a pioneering AI-integrated word processing application, WPS AI, crafted by Kingsoft Office, a Shanghai-listed company. This tool, built on Baidu’s Ernie bot’s AI model and its Qianfan cloud platform for AI models, exemplifies the increasing interplay between AI and everyday applications.
Baidu’s announcement also revealed that their Qianfan cloud platform, a Google Drive-like product with an AI-powered tool, is actively used by nearly 10,000 businesses monthly. With over 6 million users utilizing the AI assistant to search documents, summarize and translate text, and generate content, Baidu is carving a niche for itself in the intersection of AI and cloud computing. The company also showcased generative AI-based products designed to aid traffic management, financial research, and coal mine logistics, further demonstrating its commitment to leveraging AI to solve a broad spectrum of challenges.
Baidu Rolls Out Over 10 New AI-Based Applications
Chinese tech behemoth Baidu made a splash Tuesday with the announcement of more than 10 new AI-based applications. This comes hot on the heels of the public release of its AI chatbot, Ernie Bot.
AI-Incorporated Word Processing App, WPS AI
Among the new products, a standout was WPS AI, a generative AI-integrated word processing app developed by Kingsoft Office. This Shanghai-listed company built the app using Baidu’s AI model that powers Ernie bot and Baidu’s Qianfan cloud platform for AI models.
Baidu’s Qianfan platform is reportedly utilized by nearly 10,000 businesses each month, demonstrating its popularity and credibility in the business sector.
AI-Powered Cloud Tools
In addition to the word processing app, Baidu revealed its cloud product, akin to Google Drive, has been used by over 6 million users. This product features an AI-powered tool capable of searching documents, summarizing and translating text, and even creating content.
Generative AI-Based Solutions
Baidu also showcased a range of generative AI-based products aimed at tackling issues across various sectors. These include traffic management, financial research, and coal mine logistics. However, it remains unclear how readily available these products are for public use.
The Rise of AI in China
The public release of Baidu’s Ernie bot on August 31 marked the Chinese government’s approval of the AI-powered chatbot. Other Chinese companies have also launched similar AI products around the same period.
Baidu’s Ernie bot was first revealed in March but was initially available only to business partners and waitlisted individuals. A shift in Chinese regulations effective from August 15 made it easier for companies developing AI tech, as the interim rules no longer applied as long as the product wasn’t available to the mass public. This is a significant relaxation from the draft released in April.
However, it’s worth noting that, unlike Baidu’s offerings, ChatGPT, a product of Microsoft-backed OpenAI, is not officially available in China, where tech giants Google and Facebook are blocked.
Takeaways
Baidu’s latest AI rollouts underscore the company’s ongoing commitment to harnessing AI technology for a broad range of applications, from word processing to traffic management. The release of these AI-based applications, coupled with the apparent government approval, signals a robust growth trajectory for AI technology in China. However, the exclusion of products like ChatGPT raises questions about competitive dynamics and the future of AI development in the region.
