Baidu, a leading Chinese internet search company, has unveiled new low-cost artificial intelligence (AI) reasoning foundation models in an effort to remain competitive in China’s rapidly advancing AI sector. Introduced the X1 reasoning model and a new version of its foundation model, Ernie 4.5, marking a significant development in the Chinese AI race.
Baidu’s new X1 model, which the company claims performs similarly to the DeepSeek model but at a much lower cost, comes amid fierce competition in the Chinese AI market.
DeepSeek, a startup that made waves in the industry with its open-source, cost-efficient AI platform in January, has prompted major tech companies to accelerate their AI development.
Baidu also revealed that its Ernie Bot, an AI chatbot powered by its proprietary Ernie models, would be available for free to individual users more than two weeks earlier than initially scheduled. Previously, access to Ernie Bot required a paid subscription to use Baidu’s latest AI models.
The company claims that Ernie 4.5 outperforms OpenAI’s GPT-4.5 in several benchmark tests, while the X1 model is particularly strong in areas such as understanding, planning, reflection, and evolution, positioning Baidu’s AI solutions as competitive alternatives to Western models.
China’s AI surge and competition
Baidu’s move comes as the Chinese AI wave continues to shake up global tech markets. Baidu was one of the first Chinese companies to publicly roll out a generative AI platform in 2023.
However, it now faces stiff competition from rivals like ByteDance (owner of TikTok), Moonshot AI, and the rapidly-growing startup DeepSeek, which has shaken up the industry with its cost-effective and open-source AI models.
DeepSeek’s open-source model has been widely adopted, with both Chinese companies and local government agencies rushing to integrate it into their operations. Baidu itself has incorporated DeepSeek’s R1 reasoning model into its search engine.
The success of DeepSeek has spurred other Chinese tech giants to respond with their own AI advancements.
In February, Tencent, the owner of WeChat, introduced a new AI model, claiming it answered queries faster than DeepSeek’s model.
Tencent has also incorporated DeepSeek’s technology into its messaging platform. Meanwhile, Alibabawhich has partnered with Apple to develop AI for U.S. phones in China—announced a $52 billion investment in AI and cloud computing over the next three years.
Open-source AI models and Baidu’s plans
Baidu’s decision to make its Ernie AI models open-source by June 30 mirrors DeepSeek’s strategy, which has gained significant traction by offering its models freely.
This move by Baidu is expected to further fuel competition and innovation in China’s AI market, where multiple companies vie for dominance.
Baidu’s new AI models and its commitment to open-source solutions demonstrate the company’s drive to maintain its leadership in the AI sector, while responding to the growing influence of rivals like DeepSeek, Tencent, and Alibaba.
As the Chinese government continues to push for advancements in AI technology, companies like Baidu are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI both in China and globally.
