China is trying to challenge the US in artificial intelligence. China’s tech giants have released their own AI models.
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Global attention around genetic artificial intelligence has focused on major US companies such as OpenAI, Alphabetof Google and After.
But some of China’s giants, from Alibaba to Tencent, have launched their own AI models over the past 18 months, trying to capitalize on the hype surrounding the technology.
China’s ambitions to become a world leader in artificial intelligence add another layer to the country’s technology battle with the US.
Generative AI includes applications such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which has the ability to generate text, images and even video based on user prompts. These apps are powered by large AI models trained on massive amounts of data, such as Google’s Gemini.
Chinese technology companysmall have had to carefully monitor the release of their technology, as Beijing has strict requirements for AI models and their uses.
CNBC runs through the major Chinese AI models developed by the country’s biggest tech companies.
Baidu: ERNIE
Baiduone of China’s largest internet companies, was among the first in the country to launch AI-powered applications. Its model powers Ernie Bot, an AI chatbot designed to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which the Chinese company says has 300 million users.
Before the “Turbo” version of the model, Baidu said its latest version — Ernie 4.0 — has capabilities on par with OpenAI’s GPT-4. The fundamental model can understand and reason, according to Baidu.
Like other companies, Baidu sells the ability to use its AI model through its cloud computing division.
Alibaba: Tongyi Qianwen
Alibaba launched its flagship models, Tongyi Qianwen, last year. Often shortened to Qwen, Alibaba has developed several versions that can perform different tasks. For example, a model focuses on creating content or solving math problems. Another can understand audio-based inputs and give text-based outputs.
Some versions of Qwen’s models are open source, meaning they can be freely downloaded, with some restrictions, and used by developers.
Alibaba said in May that its Qwen models have been deployed by more than 90,000 enterprise users.
Tencent: Hunyuan
Last year, Tencent launched its own foundational model called Hunyuan.
Companies can access Hunyuan’s capabilities through Tencent’s cloud computing business. Tencent said that Hunyuan has strong Chinese language processing abilities and “advanced” logical reasoning. The model can support functions such as image generation and text recognition.
Tencent has positioned the model as one that can be used by companies in industries ranging from gaming to social media and e-commerce.
Tencent operates China’s largest messaging app, WeChat. The company this year launched an AI chatbot based on the Hunyuan model. The AI assistant, known as Yuanbao, can pull information and content from WeChat as Tencent looks to differentiate its offering from competitors.
Huawei: Pangu
Huawei has taken a slightly different approach to the competition with its Pangu AI models. It has built a range of AI models targeting clients in specific industries such as government, finance, manufacturing, mining and meteorology.
For example, Huawei said its Pangu Meteorology Model can predict a typhoon’s path for 10 days in about 10 seconds, instead of the four to five hours it previously took.
These models, sold through the company’s cloud computing business, can also support production capabilities such as the ability to generate code and virtual human avatars.
ByteDance: Dubai
TikTok owner ByteDance unveiled an AI model this year, marking a late entry into the race against rivals such as Baidu and Alibaba.
ByteDance, however, released the AI model at a much cheaper price than the other companies.
The Doubao model has the ability to generate voices as well as generate code for developers, among other capabilities.
