Baidu, OpenAI Offer Free AI Chatbots Amid DeepSeek Competition

Baidu, the Chinese tech giant, has announced that its AI chatbot, Ernie Bot, will be available for free starting April 1, aiming to enhance its competitiveness in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. This strategic shift is a response to increasing pressure from domestic rivals like DeepSeek and ByteDance, which have gained popularity by offering free alternatives that compete with established players like OpenAI. The decision to eliminate subscription fees for advanced features follows a recent trend in the industry, with OpenAI also planning to provide unlimited access to its upcoming GPT-5 model for free. Analysts suggest that this move is intended to attract a larger user base, allowing Baidu to gather data and improve its AI offerings. Baidu's stock saw a significant rise following the announcement, reflecting investor optimism about its new direction. The race to dominate the AI market continues as companies adapt to the changing demands and expectations of users.