Beijing – Baidu, a leading Chinese technology company, has upped the ante in the increasingly competitive artificial intelligence landscape by releasing two new large language models (LLMs), Ernie (Wenxin) X1 and Ernie 4.5, ahead of schedule and free of charge. This move signals Baidu’s commitment to democratizing access to advanced AI capabilities and solidifying its position in the rapidly evolving market.
The announcement, made public on March 16, 2025, marks a significant shift from Baidu’s previous plan to make Ernie fully free starting April 1, 2025. This accelerated timeline underscores the urgency and intensity of the AI race, where companies are vying to offer the most powerful and accessible AI solutions.
Ernie X1: The Deep Thinker
Ernie X1 is positioned as a deep thinking model, boasting enhanced capabilities in understanding, planning, reflection, and evolution. Its key strength lies in its multimodal support, particularly its ability to leverage multiple tools effectively. This suggests a model designed for complex tasks requiring sophisticated reasoning and problem-solving.
Ernie 4.5: The Multimodal Master
In contrast, Ernie 4.5 is described as a new generation native multimodal foundation large model. Its forte is multimodal understanding, coupled with refined language proficiency. Compared to its predecessors, Ernie 4.5 demonstrates advancements in comprehension, generation, logic, and memory. Crucially, it also exhibits improvements in reducing hallucinations (generating false information), logical reasoning, and coding abilities.
Free Access and API Pricing
Both Ernie X1 and Ernie 4.5 are now accessible through Baidu’s Ernie Bot (Wenxin Yiyan) website, Baidu Search, and the Wenxiaoyan app. This immediate and free availability allows users to experience the models’ capabilities firsthand.
Furthermore, Baidu has unveiled the API pricing for Ernie 4.5, making it accessible to developers through the Baidu AI Cloud Qianfan platform. The input price is set at a competitive 0.004 yuan per 1,000 tokens, while the output price is 0.016 yuan per 1,000 tokens. This affordable pricing structure aims to encourage widespread adoption and innovation within the developer community.
Early User Impressions: Beyond Text
Early reports indicate that the new Ernie models offer a richer user experience than previous iterations. Users have reported the ability to listen to music, watch movies, and even engage in playful banter with the AI, showcasing the models’ advanced multimodal capabilities.
Conclusion: A Strategic Move in a Heated Race
Baidu’s decision to release Ernie X1 and Ernie 4.5 ahead of schedule and for free is a strategic maneuver in the intensifying AI competition. By offering powerful, accessible, and affordable AI solutions, Baidu aims to attract a wider user base, foster innovation, and solidify its position as a leading player in the global AI landscape. The early release and competitive pricing are likely to put pressure on other AI developers to offer similar value propositions, ultimately benefiting consumers and driving further advancements in the field.
References:
- (Link to Baidu’s Ernie Bot website: https://yiyan.baidu.com/) – Please note: This link is based on the provided information and may need to be verified for accuracy.
- (Link to Baidu AI Cloud Qianfan platform – To be added when available)
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