Yes, there are Chinese firms that are working on developing ChatGPT-style technology. One such company is Huawei, which has developed its own AI chip called the Ascend 910, that can support large-scale AI model training, including models like ChatGPT.
Another company that is working on developing ChatGPT-style technology is Baidu, which has developed an AI platform called PaddlePaddle that includes natural language processing (NLP) capabilities similar to those used in ChatGPT. Baidu has also developed a model similar to ChatGPT called ERNIE (Enhanced Representation through kNowledge IntEgration), which is designed to better understand natural language by integrating knowledge from external sources.
The Chinese tech industry is abuzz with news of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which is backed by Microsoft. The AI technology has prompted a surge in stocks of AI-related firms and spurred many local companies to announce their own rival projects. Chinese tech giants, such as Baidu and Alibaba (9988.HK), as well as numerous startups, have been investing in AI for years.
In China, chatbots have been primarily used for social interactions. However, ChatGPT has proven to be more adept at professional tasks, such as programming and essay writing, thanks to its ability to learn from vast amounts of data and generate human-like responses.
Several Chinese tech companies have recently announced new AI projects, including many features.
SENSETIME
On April 10th, SenseTime (0020.HK), a leading Chinese AI firm, announced the launch of several new AI-powered products, including a chatbot and image generator based on its proprietary AI model, SenseNova. While the company did not provide any specific information regarding the availability of these products, it is expected that they will be rolled out in the near future. These new offerings are expected to further enhance SenseTime’s position as a leader in the rapidly growing AI industry.
BAIDU
Baidu Inc, a Chinese multinational technology company, announced on March 16th the launch of their AI-powered chatbot, Ernie Bot. This chatbot is designed to utilize the latest natural language processing (NLP) technology, enabling it to understand and respond to user requests in a conversational manner.
Currently, access to Ernie Bot is only available to a limited number of users who have applied for access codes. However, it is expected that the chatbot will become more widely available in the near future. It is hoped that Ernie Bot will provide an innovative and user-friendly way for Baidu customers to interact with the company’s services and products.
ALIBABA
Alibaba Group, a leading Chinese multinational technology company, is currently testing an AI chatbot called Tongyi Qianwen, which is reportedly inspired by the ChatGPT model. This chatbot is designed to communicate with users in natural language and provide them with information on a variety of topics, such as customer service, e-commerce, and entertainment.
According to recent reports from Chinese media, Alibaba is now seeking companies to participate in the testing of this chatbot. The purpose of the testing is to ensure that the chatbot is functioning properly and can effectively meet the needs of users. Following the testing phase, Alibaba is planning to formally launch the Tongyi Qianwen chatbot at an upcoming Alibaba Cloud event, which is scheduled for April 11.
Overall, Alibaba’s development of this AI chatbot is part of the company’s broader strategy to leverage advanced technologies like natural language processing and machine learning to enhance its services and offerings. By introducing a chatbot that can interact with users in a natural and seamless manner, Alibaba hopes to improve customer satisfaction and increase engagement with its e-commerce and cloud computing platforms.
TENCENT
Tencent Holdings, a Chinese multinational conglomerate, has reportedly established a team to develop a chatbot called “HunyuanAide” that is similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. ChatGPT is a cutting-edge natural language processing model developed by OpenAI that can understand and respond to human language in a way that is almost indistinguishable from a human.
The sources, who spoke to Reuters in February, did not provide any details on how Tencent plans to use the HunyuanAide chatbot. However, it is likely that Tencent is exploring the potential of using the technology to enhance its existing products and services, such as its social media platforms, e-commerce businesses, and gaming offerings.
When asked to comment on the matter, Tencent issued a statement on February 9th, stating that the company is conducting research on ChatGPT technology. It is not clear how far along Tencent’s development team is in creating HunyuanAide or when the chatbot will be made available to the public. Nonetheless, Tencent’s interest in this technology underscores the increasing importance of natural language processing and AI-powered chatbots in the tech industry.
