![Baidu claims 200 million users for Ernie chatbot, in sign that generative AI investments are paying off](https://www.naphjas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/7600c38b-b6e3-4c80-8267-4336efbebb66_87efd005.jpg)
16 Apr Baidu claims 200 million users for Ernie chatbot, in sign that generative AI investments are paying off
Baidu’s artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Ernie Bot has attracted over 200 million users, according to company co-founder and chief executive Robin Li Yanhong, as the race to commercialise AI heats up in China.
Ernie Bot reached the milestone just 13 months after its launch, with enterprise client numbers exceeding 85,000, Li said at Baidu’s AI developer conference in southern China’s tech hub Shenzhen on Tuesday.
At the conference, Li introduced three tools based on Ernie – the large language model (LLM) behind Baidu’s ChatGPT-like service – for developers to build applications, AI agents and models, in some cases without the need to know how to code.
“[The] LLM itself doesn’t create value directly, and only AI apps developed [using LLMs] can meet the real market demand,” Li said.
Generative AI takes centre stage at twin Hong Kong tech fairs
Generative AI takes centre stage at twin Hong Kong tech fairs
Baidu is playing a leading role in trying to generate revenues and profits from AI chatbot in China’s relatively closed market, with more than 200 LLMs jostling for space.
![Ernie Bot and Baidu icons are seen on an iPhone screen. Photo: Shutterstock Images](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/04/16/799722c0-6a36-4903-9722-b44162d1846c_6114a0af.jpg)
Mainland China had 254 LLMs as of November last year, according to a white paper published by the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission.