China’s Baidu makes AI chatbot Ernie Bot publicly available


After US company OpenAI launched ChatGPT earlier this year, the race is on to develop generative artificial intelligence models. Beijing sees AI as a key industry to rival the US and aims to become a global leader by 2030. The PRC is now officially a major player in the vibrant AI sector.
ERNIE Bot is overtly parroting PRC talking points. Beijing's new regulations also include provisions for labeling AI-generated content and curtailing false and harmful information, offering state-approved answers to "taboo" questions. Service providers must also hand over their algorithms to the authorities if their software is viewed to have an impact on public opinion — this is a concerning development.