Baidu announced that its AI chatbot, Ernie Bot, will be available for free starting April 1. The company cited improved technology and reduced costs as the main reasons for the change.
Free Access for All Users
Ernie Bot will be accessible at no cost on both desktop and mobile platforms. Baidu shared the update in a WeChat post, signaling a shift in its AI strategy. Previously, the company charged a subscription fee for certain AI-powered search features.
Competition in China’s AI Market
Baidu has faced strong competition in China’s AI sector. DeepSeek, a rising AI company, offers free chatbot services with performance that it claims rivals OpenAI’s GPT-4. Other competitors, such as ByteDance’s Doubao chatbot, have also gained traction.
Despite being an early leader in AI development, Baidu has struggled to achieve widespread adoption for Ernie Bot. The latest version, Ernie 4.0, is said to match GPT-4’s capabilities, but user engagement remains lower than that of its domestic rivals.
Along with making Ernie Bot free, Baidu will introduce an advanced search function, also available at no cost starting April 1. This feature promises improved reasoning capabilities and tool integration, allowing users to receive expert-level responses.
