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In a bold move to challenge competitors like DeepSeek, Baidu has announced that its highly anticipated AI chatbot, Ernie, will be made available free of charge from April 1, 2025. This announcement has created waves in China’s competitive AI landscape, as Baidu aims to bolster its position amid rapidly advancing artificial intelligence technology.
Baidu’s Ernie chatbot, launched in 2023, gained attention for its sophisticated capabilities comparable to popular models like ChatGPT. Now, the tech giant is making its powerful AI accessible to both desktop and mobile users without any fees, capitalising on advancements in AI and a sharp focus on cost-cutting measures.
Shares of Baidu surged by 12% following the announcement, reflecting investor optimism about the potential for Ernie to dominate in a market flooded with AI innovations. This move is seen as part of Baidu’s ongoing strategy to enhance user engagement and attract a broader audience to its AI platforms.
The release of Ernie Bot, free for users, comes as China’s AI sector becomes increasingly competitive, with other players such as DeepSeek rapidly gaining ground. Baidu’s decision to open its chatbot for free may prove to be a game changer as the company looks to set the pace in the evolving AI race.
The company has promised to continue developing Ernie with cutting-edge features and capabilities, aiming to keep the product on par with global AI advancements. While many businesses have been cautiously rolling out AI tools for premium users, Baidu’s bold strategy makes it stand out in the ever-evolving tech market.
