China’s tech giant Baidu has introduced two advanced artificial intelligence models as part of its ongoing efforts to gain an edge in the competitive AI sector. Among them, ERNIE X1 is designed to focus on reasoning and is said to match the performance of DeepSeek R1 while being significantly more cost-efficient.
According to Baidu, ERNIE X1 demonstrates enhanced capabilities in comprehension, strategic planning, self-reflection, and adaptive learning. The company also highlighted that it is the first deep-thinking model capable of autonomous tool usage.
Additionally, Baidu launched ERNIE 4.5, an upgraded foundation model with improved multimodal understanding. The company claims this model excels in language processing, logical reasoning, memory, and content generation. Notably, it also features advanced emotional intelligence, enabling it to interpret internet memes and satirical content effectively.
Despite Baidu being one of the first Chinese firms to introduce a ChatGPT-style chatbot, its ERNIE models have faced challenges in achieving widespread adoption, particularly in a highly competitive landscape.
Multimodal AI, which integrates and processes multiple data formats such as text, images, video, and audio, is becoming increasingly crucial in the AI industry. Baidu’s latest advancements reflect its commitment to keeping pace with global AI developments.
