Baidu launches competitive AI models ERNIE 4.5 and X1

On March 16, 2025, Baidu, a leading AI company based in China, introduced two new artificial intelligence models: ERNIE 4.5 and ERNIE X1. This launch marks a significant step towards advancing the capabilities of AI in the competitive landscape driven by rapidly developing technologies. ERNIE 4.5 is a foundation model featuring multimodal functionalities that allow it to process diverse types of content, including text, images, audio, and video. It stands out due to its pricing, starting at just 1% of competitors such as GPT-4.5, thus making advanced AI technology more accessible to users. The model's development involved key technologies such as Dynamic Attention Masking and Spatiotemporal Representation Compression, leading to improvements in language understanding and generation. Meanwhile, ERNIE X1 is described as a deep-thinking reasoning model with superior abilities in understanding, planning, and logical reasoning. This model focuses on complex tasks like dialogue, manuscript writing, and even tool use autonomously. Both ERNIE 4.5 and ERNIE X1 are now available to individual users for free through the ERNIE Bot's official website, marking Baidu's endeavor to democratize access to advanced AI capabilities. Baidu aims to integrate these models into its broader product ecosystem, including Baidu Search and various applications, which will enhance user experience significantly. The initiative signifies Baidu's commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI technology while facing robust competition from other companies in the sector, including startups like DeepSeek. The competitive landscape has propelled innovations in AI, leading Baidu to further invest in research, cloud infrastructure, and data centers to refine its AI capabilities and maintain industry relevance.