Baidu CEO Robin Li: China’s Ernie Bot Large Model Takes the Lead with Over 200 Competitors Surpassed in Combined Usage
In a recent speech at the Shenzhen 2023 X-Lake Forum, Baidu’s founder and CEO, Robin Li, highlighted the remarkable progress made by China’s AI industry. Li specifically focused on the exceptional performance and usage of Baidu’s Ernie Bot large model, which has surpassed the combined usage of over 200 competing models.
Since its launch on August 31, the API calls for the Ernie Bot large model have experienced exponential growth, distinguishing it from its domestic counterparts. While there are over 200 large models in China, these models appear on the list yet have low actual usage. However, Ernie Bot’s large model has emerged as a frontrunner, far surpassing the combined usage of all these models.
During his insightful speech, Li also identified the three driving forces behind the AI-native era. First and foremost, powerful foundational models will ignite the proliferation of AI-native applications. Secondly, cultivating an open-minded approach that embraces the AI era is vital, requiring the active involvement of CEOs and top leaders. Finally, nurturing a thriving ecosystem of AI-native applications will pave the way for sustainable economic growth.
Li expressed his concern about the excessive number of large models currently available in China. As of October 2023, there have been 238 large models released in the country. While this may seem impressive, the lack of AI-native applications built on top of these models is a missed opportunity. Continuously focusing on developing basic large models only leads to resource wastage.
To reinforce Baidu’s commitment to innovation, the company recently unveiled Ernie Bot Large Model 4.0 on October 17th. Baidu proudly claims that this latest iteration is the most powerful Ernie Bot Large Model to date, boasting comprehensive capabilities comparable to GPT-4.
The significance of Baidu’s Ernie Bot large model cannot be denied. Its exponential usage growth and outpacing of over 200 competitors demonstrate its superiority in the AI industry. As AI continues to revolutionize various sectors, it is imperative for CEOs and leaders to foster a conducive environment that encourages the development of AI-native applications. By doing so, China can truly capitalize on its AI potential and drive economic prosperity.
