Paid Version of ChatGPT Launched by China’s Baidu

Baidu, the Chinese search engine giant, has launched a paid version of its Ernie bot, a chatbot powered by generative artificial intelligence similar to ChatGPT. Ernie bot was the 1st of many Chinese AI-powered chatbots to be unveiled this year. 

• Baidu's move comes as Chinese tech companies are racing to monetize and commercialize their large language models (LLMs), which have surpassed 100 in number since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in November 2020. 
• LLMs, the driving force behind these chatbots, are deep-learning AI algorithms capable of recognizing, summarizing, translating, predicting, and generating content using vast datasets.

About ChatGPT

• ChatGPT is a chatbot developed by OpenAI, launched on November 30, 2022. It is based on a large language model which allows users to steer a conversation towards a desired length, format, style, level of detail, and language. At each conversation stage, known as prompt engineering, successive prompts and replies are considered as a context.
• ChatGPT is a chatbot built using GPT-3.5 or GPT-4, which are proprietary generative pre-trained transformer models developed by OpenAI. These models are based on the transformer architecture created by Google and are fine-tuned for conversational purposes using a combination of supervised and reinforcement learning techniques. 
• Initially, ChatGPT was released as a research preview, but due to its popularity, OpenAI currently operates the service on a freemium model. 
• Users of the free tier can access the GPT-3.5-based version, while the more advanced GPT-4-based version and priority access to newer features are provided to paid subscribers under the name "ChatGPT Plus".
• Several tech giants such as Google, Baidu, and Meta have been speeding up the development of their competitive products, which include Bard, Ernie Bot, and LLaMA. 
• Meanwhile, Microsoft has launched its Bing Chat, which is based on OpenAI's GPT-4. However, there are concerns among some observers that such programs could displace human intelligence, fuel misinformation, and enable plagiarism.

About OpenAI

• OpenAI is an American AI organization that comprises the non-profit OpenAI, Inc. registered in Delaware. 
• The organization's primary goal is to research AI and develop "safe and beneficial" artificial general intelligence. This type of AI is defined as "highly autonomous systems that outperform humans at most economically valuable work."
• OpenAI was established in 2015 by a group of individuals, including Ilya Sutskever, Greg Brockman, Trevor Blackwell, and Vicki Cheung, with Sam Altman and Elon Musk serving as the initial board members. In 2019, Microsoft invested $1 billion in OpenAI Global LLC, and in 2023, they invested an additional $10 billion. 
• Samuel Harris Altman is currently serving as the CEO of OpenAI. 

About Baidu

• Baidu was founded in 2000 by Robin Li, an internet pioneer who created the visionary search technology Hyperlink Analysis. 
• The company's mission is to provide people with the best way to find information and connect users with services. 
• Baidu offers a range of services, including a Chinese search engine and a mapping service called Baidu Maps. In total, Baidu offers around 57 search and community services, such as Baidu Baike (an online encyclopedia), Baidu Wangpan (a cloud storage service), and Baidu Tieba (a keyword-based discussion forum).