Baidu, a big tech company in China, just released two new AI models called ERNIE 4.5 and ERNIE X1. These models are made to change how we use AI by giving us advanced features without costing a lot of money. ERNIE 4.5 is a special type of AI that can understand text, pictures, sound, and videos. This makes it very useful for many different tasks. It's also better at understanding language, creating content, and remembering things than older models like GPT-4.5, according to Baidu.
ERNIE X1 is an AI model that's really good at thinking deeply and solving problems. It can do things like plan complex tasks and figure out tricky situations. It's similar to another AI model called DeepSeek R1, but it costs half the price. This makes it a good choice for people who want strong AI without spending too much.
One of the best things about these models is that they're cheap to use. ERNIE 4.5 costs only 1% of what GPT-4.5 costs, according to Baidu. This means more people can use it. Baidu wants to compete with companies like OpenAI, which makes GPT-4. By offering these models at lower prices, Baidu hopes to make AI available to more people.
How can you use these models? Imagine you want to create a simple game, like a snake game, using computer code. ERNIE 4.5 can help you write the code you need quickly. ERNIE X1 can help you look at complicated information or create pictures based on what you tell it. This can be helpful for creative projects or for understanding data.
You might be wondering how easy it is to get access to these models. Right now, you can use them for free, but the website is mostly in Chinese. Baidu plans to make them easier to use by adding them to its other products, like Baidu Search and the Wenxiaoyan app. According to TechCrunch, Baidu plans to make these models open-source by June 30th. This means that anyone can use them and change them, which could lead to even more innovation in AI.
In the future, Baidu's ERNIE 4.5 and X1 models could play a big role in how AI develops. By making AI more affordable and accessible, Baidu is helping to shape the future of this technology. As the AI world keeps changing, these models could become important tools for businesses and individuals alike.
