China’s Baidu and Alibaba expected to develop rival AI chatbots to OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
The Beijing city government is doubling down on its commitment to support the development of domestic artificial intelligence (AI) companies. The government is now backing the creation of large AI models that can rival OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which is currently receiving a lot of attention in the tech industry.
According to a recent report by Reuters, Beijing is home to over 1,000 core AI companies, accounting for nearly a third of the country’s total. To promote innovation and accelerate the supply of basic data, the government is now building an open-source framework to facilitate the development of large AI models.
These developments come as China aims to reduce its reliance on foreign AI technologies, given the potential security risks and limitations posed by US export controls. With the rapid growth of ChatGPT in China, Chinese tech companies, including Baidu and Alibaba, are expected to develop their own AI chatbots.
While residents cannot create OpenAI accounts to access the AI chatbot, companies are rushing to integrate the technology into their products. However, state media has warned of stock market risks amid a frenzy over local ChatGPT-concept stocks, and Chinese regulators are likely to scrutinize the development of AI models and associated products to ensure compliance with ethical standards.
As China continues to expand its AI capabilities, the government’s support for domestic AI companies will play a critical role in its ability to compete on the global stage.
