Chinese search engine giant Baidu has introduced an upgraded version of its AI model, Ernie 4.0 Turbo, to stay competitive in China's AI market. The new feature follows the October 2023 release of Ernie 4, which Baidu claimed had capabilities on par with OpenAI's GPT-4. The new model will be available to the public through web and mobile interfaces, with developers able to integrate it via Baidu's Qianfan AI platform. Since its launch, Ernie has amassed 300 million users.

At the same event, Baidu also announced enhancements to its PaddlePaddle AI ecosystem, which now supports 14.65 million developers and serves 370,000 businesses and institutions. The introduction of Ernie 4.0 Turbo comes as OpenAI plans to block access to its API from China and other countries starting 9 July, impacting many Chinese startups relying on OpenAI's technology. In response, Baidu and other domestic firms like Alibaba have launched initiatives to attract these users by offering free migration services and incentives.