Pictured here is the Ernie bot mobile interface, with the Baidu search engine home page in the background.
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Baidu, the Chinese tech giant, has recently made its ChatGPT-like Ernie bot available to the public, signaling a more relaxed policy stance on artificial intelligence. Previously, access to Ernie bot was limited to business partners and individuals on a waitlist, which quickly grew to over 1.2 million people. However, as of Wednesday, Ernie bot can now be accessed without the requirement of a Chinese ID number. The popularity of OpenAI’s ChatGPT worldwide has prompted Chinese companies to announce their own generative AI projects, since ChatGPT itself is not accessible in China due to internet restrictions.
While China maintains strict control over its internet access, the country’s leaders have expressed the importance of developing domestic technology, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence. New regulations for generative AI services came into effect on August 15, stating that companies can freely develop AI technology as long as it is not made available to the mass public. This is a less stringent requirement compared to an earlier draft of the regulations. The latest version also does not include a blanket license requirement, only stating that one may be needed according to specific laws and regulations. Overall, China has been increasing regulation on personal data protection and network security.
Baidu’s CEO, Robin Li, has described the new regulations as “more pro-innovation than regulation” and expressed optimism about the future regulatory environment. However, Baidu is still awaiting approval for the large-scale rollout of Ernie bot in consumer-facing applications.
Other Chinese companies, including Alibaba, have also been introducing a variety of generative AI products. Recently, Kunlun Tech, the parent company of Opera web browser, released an AI-powered chatbot and search engine called Tiangong AI search to the public. The company compared it to Microsoft Bing’s integration with OpenAI, as Tiangong also provides internet links in its search results. Previously, most AI products in China were only available for internal use by corporate partners. The underlying technology of these chatbots compared to ChatGPT’s is not clear, but their basic functionality is similar. Ernie bot and Tiangong primarily operate in Chinese and both have standalone iPhone apps. According to a Bank of America report, ChatGPT’s popularity has been declining since June, despite the launch of an iPhone app in May.
— CNBC’s Kif Leswing contributed to this report.
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