Baidu Chinese company plans to introduce its ChatGPT-style AI chatbot in March.

Baidu has invested billions in AI research to shift from online marketing to advanced technology. The company’s Ernie system, a long-trained machine-learning model using data from multiple years, is a result of this effort.

Baidu, the largest search engine company in China, is poised to launch a cutting-edge AI chatbot service that is similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The company’s goal is to make a prominent entry into the race for artificial intelligence technology, according to an unnamed source familiar with the matter.

The planned launch of the ChatGPT-style application is slated for March and will be integrated into Baidu’s main search services. The tool, as yet unnamed, will provide users with conversation-style search results, similar to the highly popular platform offered by OpenAI. This will allow users to interact with the chatbot in a conversational manner, making their search experience more intuitive and personal.

Baidu has invested billions of dollars in AI research over several years, with the goal of transitioning from online marketing to deeper technology. The company’s Ernie system, a large-scale machine-learning model trained on data from multiple years, will serve as the foundation for its upcoming ChatGPT-like tool. The unnamed source stated that the Ernie system will be instrumental in providing the necessary knowledge base for the chatbot to function effectively.

When asked for comment, a Baidu representative declined to provide any further information. This has added to the speculation surrounding the company’s plans for its upcoming AI chatbot service. Regardless of the company’s silence, it is clear that Baidu is committed to advancing its AI technology and making a significant impact in this field.

Since its public launch in November, OpenAI’s AI tool ChatGPT has taken the internet by storm, attracting over a million users within days. This has sparked discussions about the role of AI in various settings such as schools, offices, and homes. Many companies, including Microsoft, are investing billions to develop practical applications for AI, while others are leveraging the buzz to secure funding. Buzzfeed’s stock price more than doubled this month after announcing its intention to integrate ChatGPT into its content.

In China, Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent, and ByteDance dominate the internet. Baidu, a search company, is seeking to regain growth in the mobile era as it lags behind its rivals in areas such as mobile advertising, video, and social media. The company is not only investing in AI research but also in autonomous driving technology.

ChatGPT has caught the attention of Chinese internet users, who, like others around the world, have shared screenshots of their interactions with the AI bot on social media. Despite a heavily censored domestic internet isolated from the rest of the world, companies like Baidu have flourished as local equivalents to Google, Amazon, and Facebook.