The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

why Baidu's ChatGPT rival may never measure up

  • Written by Fan Yang, Research Associate at RMIT and Alfred Deakin Institute, Deakin University
why Baidu's ChatGPT rival may never measure up

On March 16, Baidu[1] unveiled China’s latest rival to OpenAI’s ChatGPT – ERNIE Bot (short for “Enhanced Representation through kNowledge IntEgration”). The “multi-modal” AI-powered chatbot can generate text, images, audio and video from a text prompt.

However, ERNIE was poorly received by the public. Baidu’s Hong Kong-listed shares[2] fell by 10% during the press conference, and the beta test is only open to a group of organisations approved by the company.

ERNIE Bot will not be a Chinese substitute for ChatGPT, but that might be how the Chinese state wants it. As earlier efforts to make Chinese AI chatbots have shown, the Chinese Communist Party prefers to maintain strict censorship rules and government steering of research – even at the cost of innovation.

Digital sovereignty and ChatGPT

ChatGPT is not directly accessible in China due to the country’s protectionist approach to digital sovereignty[3]. Chinese data are confined within China, and information that conflicts with government propaganda is censored.

Chinese tech companies including Baidu and Tencent prohibit third-party developers from plugging ChatGPT into their services.

However, the prominence of ChatGPT created a booming illicit market[4]. Until a crackdown, ChatGPT logins were sold on the ecommerce platform Taobao, and video tutorials were published on Chinese social media to demonstrate the abilities of the chatbot.

XiaoIce and BabyQ

Baidu isn’t the first or only tech company in China trialling a generative AI chatbot.

In March 2017, Tencent[5] launched two social chatbots, called XiaoIce and BabyQ, on the WeChat and QQ messaging apps respectively.

The Microsoft-developed XiaoIce is a hugely popular ‘friend chatbot’. Microsoft

XiaoIce[6] was developed by Microsoft, while BabyQ was created by a Beijing-based AI company called Turing Robot[7]. Within months, the two chatbots were taken down[8] to be attuned according to China’s censorship rules.

BabyQ never came back, but Microsoft’s XiaoIce returned and has been providing AI companionship[9] services to millions of users on major platforms including WeChat, QQ and Weibo.

Made in China 2025 and the push for AI

China’s government would be on the defensive if China adopted only AI chatbots developed overseas. As chatbots run on human feedback, it would be impossible to prevent transnational flows of data and the political interests of the Chinese Communist Party may be threatened.

Since 2015, during the administration of former premier Li Keqiang, the Made in China 2025[10] scheme has endeavoured to bolster the country’s technological capacities. AI is a major focus.

AI is a key area of focus under the Made In China 2025 plan. Ng Han Guan / AP

Since February 2023, Chinese tech companies[11] across AI, food delivery, e-commerce and gaming have scrambled to catch up with OpenAI and provide their own ChatGPT-like products to the market.

Beijing’s Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology[12] is supporting this ambition, but only for some leading tech companies.

Censorship and culture

We can expect China will witness the short-term proliferation of versions of ChatGPT services, many of which will vanish or be acquired by big tech companies.

Smaller companies, with little support from the government, are unlikely to be able to afford the costs of censorship[13].

A small startup called YuanYu launched China’s first ChatGPT-style bot[14] in January. Dubbed ChatYuan, the bot ran as a “mini-program” inside WeChat. It was suspended[15] within weeks after users posted screengrabs[16] of its answers to political questions online.

However, Chinese users are still interested in large language models based on the Han Chinese linguistic system.

ERNIE Bot, for example, claims to be more culturally savvy[17] than ChatGPT[18], with a better understanding of Chinese histories, classical literature, and dialects.

Government steering

Beijing has tightened its governance of the tech industry since a crackdown in 2021.

One upside for industry is a secure flow of funding[19] and talent support. The flip side is that resources are steered towards technologies that serve Beijing’s immediate interests[20] in domestic governance and military defence.

Read more: China's big tech problem: even in a state-managed economy, digital companies grow too powerful[21]

China’s ChatGPT imitators are more likely to be designed to benefit enterprises than individuals. For tech giants, the objective is to form a “full AI stack” by integrating generative AI products into every level of their business, from search engines and apps to industrial processes, digital devices, urban infrastructure and cloud computing.

Emotional surveillance and disinformation

AI-driven chatbots can also lead to adverse outcomes. Alongside the universal concerns[22] around job security, copyright and academic integrity, in China there are also extra risks of emotional surveillance and disinformation.

Chatbots can identify users’ emotional status[23] through conversations. This emotion-reading ability extends the power of big data and AI to invade people’s privacy.

Read more: China's 'surveillance creep': how big data COVID monitoring could be used to control people post-pandemic[24]

In China, such emotional surveillance could further establish “emotional authoritarianism”. Any sentiments that could threaten the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, even if not directly stated, have the potential to attract punishment for the user.

AI-powered chatbots and search engines are also likely to legitimise Chinese state-organised propaganda and disinformation. Users will come to trust and depend on these services, but their inputs, outputs and internal processes will be heavily censored.

Chinese politics and leadership will not be up for discussion. When it comes to controversial events or histories, only the perspectives of the Chinese Communist Party will be presented.

References

  1. ^ Baidu (www.youtube.com)
  2. ^ shares (www.aljazeera.com)
  3. ^ digital sovereignty (www.cfr.org)
  4. ^ illicit market (www.wired.co.uk)
  5. ^ Tencent (www.abc.net.au)
  6. ^ XiaoIce (www.euronews.com)
  7. ^ Turing Robot (en.wikipedia.org)
  8. ^ taken down (www.reuters.com)
  9. ^ AI companionship (global.chinadaily.com.cn)
  10. ^ Made in China 2025 (www.cfr.org)
  11. ^ Chinese tech companies (www.wired.co.uk)
  12. ^ Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology (www.reuters.com)
  13. ^ afford the costs of censorship (www.nytimes.com)
  14. ^ first ChatGPT-style bot (www.scmp.com)
  15. ^ suspended (www.taiwannews.com.tw)
  16. ^ screengrabs (www.reddit.com)
  17. ^ culturally savvy (aimagazine.com)
  18. ^ ChatGPT (www.scmp.com)
  19. ^ secure flow of funding (technode.com)
  20. ^ immediate interests (www.nature.com)
  21. ^ China's big tech problem: even in a state-managed economy, digital companies grow too powerful (theconversation.com)
  22. ^ universal concerns (theconversation.com)
  23. ^ emotional status (direct.mit.edu)
  24. ^ China's 'surveillance creep': how big data COVID monitoring could be used to control people post-pandemic (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/ai-chatbots-with-chinese-characteristics-why-baidus-chatgpt-rival-may-never-measure-up-202109

The Times Features

The Benefits of Animal-Assisted Speech Therapy For Children

Speech therapy has long been a standard for supporting children’s communication and emotional development. But what happens when you introduce a furry friend into the process? Th...

The Hidden Dangers of Blocked Drains and the Ultimate Solution for a Hassle-Free Home

Drain blockages are a big hassle to every homeowner and business owner alike. Whether it is a sink in the kitchen or bathroom, a clogged toilet, or a foul smell circulating aroun...

Understanding the Dangers of Ignoring a Gas Leak

Gas leaks are silent threats lurking within both homes and workplaces. A gas leak occurs when natural gas or any other gaseous substance escapes from a pipeline or containment. T...

Can You Sell Your House Privately in Queensland? Here’s How

Selling a house privately in Queensland is entirely possible and can be a cost-effective alternative to using a real estate agent. While agents provide valuable expertise, their co...

Itinerary to Maximize Your Two-Week Adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia

Two weeks may not seem like much, but it’s just the right time for travelers to explore the best of Vietnam and Cambodia. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the magnificent te...

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Times Magazine

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

LayBy Shopping