A significant change is coming to the AI world. Baido, the massive company behind China's foremost search engine, has announced total accessibility for all users of the AI chatbot ERNIE Bot, effective April 1, 2025. Free access to cutting-edge AI technology is about to become a reality for millions.
What Does "Free" Actually Mean?
This is not a limited trial or a substandard version. Baidu will fully liberate ERNIE Bot on both desktop and mobile platforms. Users will be able to use the newest ERNIE foundation models without pay. Key features include:
- Extended Document Processing: Analyze lengthy documents and derive key insights with ease.
- Professional Search: Experience a smart, AI-driven search precisely to the point, beyond endless results.
- Advanced AI Painting: Generate gorgeous pictures in AI mode with ERNIE Bot's AI painting tools.
- Multilingual Conversations: Overcome language barriers with ERNIE Bot's multilingual conversation capabilities.
Enter Deep Search: Enhanced AI Assistance
ERNIE Bot is unveiling a new feature named Deep Search. This feature enriches AI assistance to an expert level. Deep Search is set to offer:
- Enhanced Thinking and Planning: ERNIE Bot will surpass textbook answers with deeper thought processes for fuller responses.
- Expert-Level Responses: Expect accurate answers with greater understanding and insights.
- Improved AI Assistance for Complex Tasks: ERNIE Bot will become a more powerful assistant for intricate projects through advanced "tool-calling capabilities."
- Multimodal Input and Output: Interact with ERNIE Bot flexibly through diverse input and output types.
Deep Search availability will start on ERNIE Bot's official website, with mobile access coming soon. Free access to Deep Search also starts from April 1.
ERNIE Bot vs. The Competition: A Power Player in AI
ERNIE Bot has achieved significant success, with an estimated 430 million users as of November 2024 and a high volume of API calls. While OpenAI's ChatGPT lacks official access in China, ERNIE Bot has become the region's prominent AI chatbot. Offering free access could solidify its lead and significantly boost AI technology adoption in China and potentially beyond.
Navigating Censorship: AI with Chinese Characteristics
ERNIE Bot operates within China's regulatory compliance and censorship policies. Unlike the discourse of mass sharing sometimes seen with ChatGPT in Chinese social networks, ERNIE Bot will comply with these regulations. Baidu aims to market powerful AI capabilities with maximum compliance. This positions ERNIE Bot as a uniquely "Chinese" AI solution, reflecting its operational context.
A Landmark Day for AI Accessibility
Baidu's decision to grant free access to ERNIE Bot is a bold statement. It indicates AI is advancing on various fronts. Its influence on the AI scene in China and globally will be interesting to observe. April 1, 2025, will be a landmark day for mass accessibility to advanced AI.
