Baidu escalates global AI battle with launch of two next-gen models

Baidu, a leader in China’s AI industry and one of the first to create a ChatGPT-style chatbot, has faced challenges in gaining widespread adoption for its ERNIE model, despite claiming performance comparable to OpenAI

Chinese tech major Baidu has come up with two new AI models as part of its ongoing efforts to stand out in the highly competitive AI industry. Among the models is the ERNIE X1, which Baidu claims offers similar performance to DeepSeek’s R1 model but at half the cost.

The launch comes at a time when the global AI race is intensifying, particularly following the entry of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, which has sparked industry discussions by claiming its models rival or even surpass the performance of leading US-based systems, while being significantly more affordable. Baidu’s new offerings are positioned as part of its larger AI strategy to challenge global competitors.

Baidu described the ERNIE X1 as a “deep thinking” model with advanced reasoning capabilities, including autonomous use of tools for enhanced understanding, planning, and reflection. The company stated that the ERNIE X1's performance is comparable to DeepSeek’s R1, but it is priced at just half the cost, positioning it as a more cost-effective alternative.

ERNIE 4.5: Baidu’s AI leap

Along with the ERNIE X1, Baidu also launched its latest ERNIE 4.5 model, which the company highlights for its next-gen AI models capabilities. Baidu emphasized the ERNIE 4.5 model's ability to process multimodal data, meaning it can understand and generate content across text, images, audio, and video. The model’s enhanced language abilities, along with its improved logic, memory, and generation capabilities, were also emphasized. Additionally, Baidu claims that the ERNIE 4.5 boasts a “high EQ” that enables it to easily interpret internet memes and satirical cartoons.

Baidu, a pioneer in China’s AI landscape and one of the first companies to develop a ChatGPT-style chatbot, has faced challenges in achieving widespread adoption for its ERNIE large language model. Despite claiming performance on par with OpenAI in terms of capabilities, Baidu has struggled to establish its product in the face of fierce competition in the AI space.

The rise of multimodal AI systems, like those introduced by Baidu, is becoming increasingly important in the tech world. These next-gen AI models are capable of processing and integrating diverse data types such as text, images, video, and audio, providing more advanced, versatile AI solutions.

Also Read: Baidu plans to come up with AI chatbot similar to ChatGPT