Baidu introduced Ernie X1, a reasoning model that can support tools such as advanced search, generation of AI images, and webpage reading.

Chinese search engine Baidu has launched two new AI models — Ernie 4.5, the latest version of the company’s foundational model first released two years ago, as well as a new reasoning model, Ernie X1.

DeepSeek has emerged as the new standard for AI model makers to beat after launching R1 just before Christmas. As a reasoning model, R1 stood out for matching the capabilities of the best U.S.-made AI models, despite its maker only spending a small fraction of the cost its rivals had spent in training it.

Baidu released a new artificial intelligence model that articulates its reasoning, in an apparent bid to regain momentum against up-and-coming rivals like DeepSeek.

BEIJING: China's Baidu said on Sunday (Mar 16) it has launched two new artificial intelligence (AI) models, including a new reasoning-focused model that it said rivalled DeepSeek's model, as it vies to stand out in a fiercely competitive AI race.

Ernie 4.5 is Baidu's new generation multimodal foundation model, which possesses the ability to understand and generate text, images, audio and video content based on given prompts. The model demonstrates comprehensive improvements in terms of understanding, generation, reasoning and memory compared with previous versions.

Baidu Inc launched its latest artificial intelligence models, ERNIE 4.5 and ERNIE X1, making them freely accessible to individual users ahead of schedule as

Baidu also confirmed its plans to follow in DeepSeek’s footsteps by making its Ernie AI models open-source, starting on June 30.

Chinese tech giant Baidu has released AI models Ernie X1 and Ernie 4.5, intensifying competition with US AI companies.