Microsoft-supported chatbot ChatGPT has prompted a chain of tech and retail companies in China to develop their own AI-enabled chatbots
The global buzz around Microsoft’s ChatGPT has spread to China, spurring the announcement of competing projects by local companies.
In addition to Microsoft and Google, Chinese companies such as Baidu and Alibaba as well as smaller start-ups have been working on AI projects for many years.
In China, chatbots generally focus on social interactions, while ChatGPT, which is trained to answer prompts by users in a human-like manner, performs better at programming and writing essays.
These Chinese tech companies have recently announced AI technology:
Baidu
On February 7, Baidu Inc. announced that it would begin testing a ChatGPT-style project called “Ernie Bot” in March.
Alibaba
The Alibaba Group on February 8 announced it is developing an internal ChatGPT-style tool. Since the e-commerce giant formed its research institute Damo Academy in 2017, the company has been focusing on large language models and generative AI.
Tencent
On February 9, Tencent Holdings said that it is researching the ChatGPT tool technology. The company also stated that it will continue to invest in AI research based on its current technical capabilities in foundation model, machine learning algorithms, and natural language processing.
JD.Com
On February 10, e-commerce company JD.Com announced its plans to introduce ChatJD, a tool that will be similar to ChatGPT and targeted at serving other businesses.
NetEase
According to a person familiar with the company, NetEase, a gaming company, intends to use massive language model technology to support its education business.
360 Security Technology Inc
On February 8, 360 Security Technology Inc. declared that it has language model technology but was unable to specify when it will introduce any associated goods.
Kuaishou Technology
A Short video application The government-backed Paper stated on February 9 that Kuaishou Technology is researching massive language models, which it will use to enhance its goods like AI customer service.
Inspur Electronic Information Industry
According to Inspur Electronic Information Industry’s website for investors, the company has long made investments in AI-Generated Content (AIGC), which ranges from algorithms and math to applications of the technology.
Kunlun Tech
The open-source ChatGPT Chinese version will be released this year, according to Beijing-based mobile game developer Kunlun Tech, the company said on its WeChat account on Thursday.
The company revealed in a separate statement that it will integrate ChatGPT into its Opera web browser, which is based in Norway, on Wednesday.