Baidu Reportedly Aiming To Release Next-Generation AI Model By 2025

This upcoming model is expected to feature advanced multimodal capabilities, allowing it to seamlessly process and convert information across various formats, including text, images, video, and audio.

Although Baidu was one of the early adopters in China’s AI race following the global debut of ChatGPT in 2022, the company has faced challenges in achieving widespread user adoption for its Ernie large language model.

Source : Baidu

China’s tech giant Baidu is preparing to unveil the next version of its artificial intelligence model, Ernie 5, in the latter half of 2025, according to a source with direct knowledge of the development who spoke to Reuters. This upcoming model is expected to feature advanced multimodal capabilities, allowing it to seamlessly process and convert information across various formats, including text, images, video, and audio.

Earlier reports from CNBC highlighted these features, suggesting that Baidu aims to enhance the model’s versatility to compete more effectively in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Competition Is Fierce

The scheduled release of Ernie 5 comes at a time when China’s AI sector is witnessing fierce competition, particularly from rising startups like DeepSeek. This emerging company has quickly gained attention after launching an advanced reasoning model that rivals the performance of OpenAI’s GPT technology but at significantly lower operational costs.

Although Baidu was one of the early adopters in China’s AI race following the global debut of ChatGPT in 2022, the company has faced challenges in achieving widespread user adoption for its Ernie large language model. Despite Baidu’s claims that its current version, Ernie 4, matches the capabilities of OpenAI’s GPT-4, it has struggled to keep pace with domestic competitors. Platforms such as ByteDance’s Doubao chatbot and the rapidly growing DeepSeek have outperformed Baidu’s offerings in terms of user engagement and market traction.

Addressing these challenges, Baidu CEO Robin Li recently spoke at a conference in Dubai, where he acknowledged the dynamic nature of technological innovation. He pointed to DeepSeek’s rapid rise as a prime example of how unexpected breakthroughs can disrupt even the most established players in the industry, underscoring the need for continuous adaptation and forward-thinking strategies in the AI space. He said, “You just don’t know when and where innovations come from.”

He added that investment in data centres and cloud infrastructure is still needed despite DeepSeek challenging the cost efficiency of large AI models.