Baidu showcases China’s answer to ChatGPT in high-stakes debut

Baidu is planning to embed Ernie Bot into all of its main operations, from its flagship search app to cloud computing and autonomous-driving software. — Photo by Jade Gao/AFP

Baidu Inc. will debut its ChatGPT-equivalent in a highly anticipated launch event, firing China’s first salvo in a battle with the US to dominate a potentially transformative technology.

Billionaire founder Robin Li is taking to a Beijing stage Thursday to put his company’s "Ernie Bot” through its motions, a landmark moment for a search leader that’s struggled in recent years to revitalize growth. Li and technology chief Wang Haifeng are expected to outline how AI will power its cloud and content businesses, posing questions to Ernie during its first public demo.