Chinese internet giant Baidu is releasing a cloud service that is connected with its huge language model-based chatbot, ERNIE.
Beginning on March 27, “enterprises of different types can choose cloud services and products depending on their own needs, enabling them to conveniently, swiftly, and affordably construct their own models and applications,” according to a statement from Baidu to The Register.
ERNIE, which debuted last week, is ChatGPT’s rival in China. The chatbot’s release in Chinese has been eagerly anticipated. The level of public interest has been so strong that a prospective candidate launched by Fudan University failed within hours. Almost 870,000 people are now on the ERNIE waiting.
For the ERNIE Bot API testing, the bot developer is presently accepting enterprise applications. After four days of ERNIE’s introduction, 21 businesses signed cooperation agreements with Baidu on the bot, and more than 100,000 businesses applied for the ERNIE Bot API service, according to Baidu’s statement to The Reg.
When those consumers employ ERNIE, they might not be completely satisfied because there have been rumours that the bot has bugs.
To be honest, the English version of ChatGPT has also produced outcomes that range from gruesome to amusing.
Yet when it comes to ERNIE, it is said that its skills include creating poetry in the style of the Tang dynasty and flower imagery.
When ERNIE was granted access by Reuters, it was discovered that it mysteriously remained silent when asked questions concerning Chinese President Xi Jingping. Inquiries about politically touchy subjects like Tiananmen Square or how the Uyghur people is treated were either declined or met with offers to alter the topic.
I would assign ERNIE Bot a passing grade of 65 points, quite objectively. Baidu showed great bravery in releasing the product, giving out invitation codes for testing, and allowing anyone to use it. A Chinese language review on a local Q&A forum website expressed the following sentiment: “I hope they can immediately broaden the testing scope, iterate the product, and incorporate it into domestic commercial scenarios as soon as possible.
Not only has Baidu recently introduced ERNIE, but the Chinese tech giant also said last week that it has been granted permission to offer completely autonomous ride-hailing services in Beijing, Wuhan, and Chongqing. Human drivers or safety operators are not required to be in the robotaxis.
According to Baidu, “Baidu Apollo will deploy a total of 10 fully autonomous cars in Beijing Yizhuang Economic Development Zone with the permits.”