Baidu Launches Challenger to ChatGPT in Global AI Race

Baidu Inc. unveiled its artificial-intelligence-powered ERNIE Bot on Thursday, making the Beijing-based tech giant the latest entry in a global race to capitalize on the emerging technology.

ERNIE, short for “enhanced representation through knowledge integration” and named Wenxin Yiyan (文心一言) in Chinese, will initially target the Chinese market, Baidu CEO Robin Li said at a launch event at the company’s headquarters. The tool will initially be open to a group of select users starting Thursday before it is opened up to a wider slice of the public in the near future, he said, without providing a specific timetable.