BAIDU CEO ROBIN LI SAYS MORE THAN 70 AI MODELS ALREADY RELEASED IN CHINA

Last updated: June 19, 2025, 22:40 | Written by: Laura Shin

The artificial intelligence landscape is rapidly evolving, particularly in China.Baidu CEO Robin Li recently announced that over 70 large artificial intelligence language models, each boasting over 1 billion parameters, have been released within the country. Baidu co-founder and CEO Robin Li Yanhong said China has too many large language models (LLMs) and called for tech leaders to focus more on building real-world applications powered by artificialThis signifies a monumental leap in AI development, driven by both government initiatives and fierce competition among tech giants.The sheer volume of these models underscores China's commitment to becoming a global leader in AI.This announcement, made at an industry event in Beijing, highlights the growing sophistication and accessibility of AI technologies within the Chinese market.But what does this mean for the future of AI?Is this a sign of innovation or saturation? BEIJING : More than 70 large artificial intelligence language models with over 1 billion parameters have been released in China, Baidu Inc CEO Robin Li told an industry event in Beijing on Tuesday.And how does Baidu, a key player in this space, plan to maintain its competitive edge in this rapidly expanding market? Baidu Inc CEO Robin Li revealed that more than 70 large artificial intelligence (AI) language models, each with over 1 billion parameters, have been released in China. Li made this announcement during an industry event in Beijing.Let's delve deeper into this exciting development and explore its potential implications.

The Proliferation of AI Models in China

Robin Li's revelation that over 70 large language models (LLMs) are now available in China underscores the country's ambition to be a global AI powerhouse. The lower cost would help developers focus on creating more super interesting and useful AI applications, Baidu CEO Robin Li says Reading Time: 3 minutes Why you can trust SCMPThese models, each with over 1 billion parameters, are capable of performing a wide range of tasks, from natural language processing to image recognition.

Why is China experiencing such rapid growth in AI models? More than 70 large artificial intelligence language models with over 1 billion parameters have been released in China, Baidu Inc CEO Robin Li told an industry event in Beijing on Tuesday. Pahalgam Terrorist AttackSeveral factors contribute to this phenomenon:

Government Support: The Chinese government has made AI a strategic priority, providing significant funding and policy support for research and development.
Data Availability: China has a vast amount of data, which is essential for training large language models.
Talent Pool: China has a large and growing pool of AI talent, including researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs.
Competitive Market: The competitive landscape encourages innovation and drives companies to develop and deploy new AI models.

This combination of factors has created a fertile ground for AI development, leading to the rapid proliferation of LLMs across various industries.

Baidu's Role in the AI Revolution

Baidu, as a leading Chinese tech company, plays a crucial role in driving the AI revolution. Robin Li, CEO of Chinese tech company Baidu, said on Sep. 5 that more than 70 artificial intelligence (AI) models have been released in the country, according to a report from Reuters. Li commented that the over 70 AI language models that have been released were created with over 1 billion parameters, which technically qualifiesRobin Li, the company's CEO, has been a vocal advocate for AI development and has overseen Baidu's significant investments in this field.Baidu was also among the first companies to release an AI model to the public after China's new AI legislation was implemented, solidifying its position as a pioneer in the space.

Baidu's key contributions to the AI landscape include:

Developing Ernie: Baidu's flagship AI model, Ernie, has undergone several iterations and is now one of the most advanced language models in China.
Investing in AI Infrastructure: Baidu has invested heavily in data centers and cloud infrastructure to support the training and deployment of AI models.
Promoting AI Applications: Baidu is actively working to integrate AI into various applications, including search, autonomous driving, and smart devices.

Baidu's commitment to AI is evident in its continued investment and innovation in this field. Baidu was among the first companies to release an AI model to the public on Aug. 30 after China s new AI legislation was passed and implemented, along with Baichuan Intelligent Technology, SenseTime and Zhipu AI.The company's efforts are contributing to the overall growth and development of the AI ecosystem in China.

The Impact of China's New AI Regulations

The release of these 70+ AI models also follows China's new AI regulations, which came into effect on August 30th. The inference cost [of foundation models] basically can be reduced by more than 90% over 12 months, Baidu CEO Robin Li said at the World Governments Summit in Dubai this week.These regulations aim to promote the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies, while also ensuring data security and privacy.

The key impacts of these regulations include:

Compliance Requirements: Companies developing and deploying AI models must comply with specific requirements related to data governance, security, and ethical considerations.
Transparency and Explainability: The regulations emphasize the importance of transparency and explainability in AI models, requiring companies to provide clear explanations of how their models work.
Data Security and Privacy: The regulations prioritize the protection of data security and privacy, requiring companies to implement measures to prevent data breaches and unauthorized access.

These regulations have created a more regulated environment for AI development in China, which aims to foster responsible innovation and ensure the ethical use of AI technologies.

DeepSeek and the Quest for Cost Efficiency

While Baidu continues to invest in developing powerful AI models, the emergence of companies like DeepSeek has highlighted the importance of cost efficiency. Robin Li, CEO of Chinese tech company Baidu, said on Sep. 5 that more than 70 artificial intelligence (AI) models have been released in the country, according to a report from Reuters. Li commented that the over 70 AI language models that have been released were created with over 1DeepSeek's latest model was reportedly developed with just $6 million, showcasing the potential for significant cost reductions in AI development.

Robin Li himself has acknowledged the need for cost efficiency, stating that ""investment in data centers and cloud infrastructure is still required in spite of the cost efficiency shown by DeepSeek compared to the large AI models.""

This emphasis on cost efficiency is driving innovation in areas such as:

Model Optimization: Researchers are exploring techniques to optimize AI models, reducing their computational requirements without sacrificing performance.
Hardware Acceleration: Specialized hardware, such as GPUs and TPUs, is being used to accelerate the training and inference of AI models.
Cloud Computing: Cloud platforms provide access to scalable and cost-effective computing resources for AI development and deployment.

The pursuit of cost efficiency is essential for making AI more accessible and affordable, enabling wider adoption across various industries.

The Future of AI in China: Focus on Applications

Looking ahead, Robin Li has emphasized the need for tech leaders to focus more on building real-world applications powered by artificial intelligence. Item 1 of 2 Baidu's co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robin Li speaks during a session at the World Governments Summit, under the theme 'Shaping Future Governments', in Dubai, UnitedWhile the development of powerful AI models is important, the ultimate value lies in how these models are used to solve real-world problems and create new opportunities.

Some potential applications of AI in China include:

Healthcare: AI can be used to improve diagnostics, personalize treatment plans, and accelerate drug discovery.
Education: AI can personalize learning experiences, provide automated tutoring, and improve access to education.
Manufacturing: AI can optimize production processes, improve quality control, and enhance worker safety.
Transportation: AI can enable autonomous driving, optimize traffic flow, and improve logistics and supply chain management.
Finance: AI can detect fraud, assess risk, and provide personalized financial advice.

By focusing on these applications, China can unlock the full potential of AI and create significant economic and social benefits.

Baidu's Ernie 3.5: A Step Forward

The latest version of Baidu's chatbot, **Ernie 3.5**, is a testament to Baidu's commitment to continuous improvement.According to Li, Ernie 3.5 is equipped with a processing speed twice that of the previous iteration.This significant upgrade highlights the ongoing advancements in Baidu's AI capabilities.

Here's what makes Ernie 3.5 stand out:

Enhanced Processing Speed: Doubles the processing speed compared to the previous version.This allows for faster responses and more complex interactions.
Improved Accuracy: Ernie 3.5 is designed to provide more accurate and relevant information.
Advanced Natural Language Understanding: Possesses a deeper understanding of human language, allowing for more natural and intuitive conversations.
Expanded Knowledge Base: Equipped with a vast knowledge base, enabling it to answer a wide range of questions and provide insightful information.

Ernie 3.5 is a powerful example of how Baidu is pushing the boundaries of AI technology and striving to create more intelligent and useful AI applications.

Closed-Source vs. The CEO of Chinese tech-giant Baidu said that, since China s new AI regulations have been in place, over 70 AI Baidu CEO Robin Li says more than 70 AI models already released in China - XBT.Market Market Cap: $2,044,048,350,036.40Open-Source: The Debate Continues

The development of AI models has sparked a debate about whether closed-source or open-source approaches are more viable.Initially, Baidu CEO Robin Li advocated for closed-source models, believing they were the only feasible path for AI development. More than 70 large artificial intelligence language models with over 1 billion parameters have been released in China, Baidu Inc CEO Robin Li told an industry event in BeijingHowever, the success of companies like DeepSeek, with its cost-effective model, has challenged this perspective.

The arguments for each approach are as follows:

Closed-Source:
- Proprietary Technology: Allows companies to protect their intellectual property and maintain a competitive advantage.
- Greater Control: Enables greater control over the development and deployment of the model, ensuring quality and security.
- Potential for Monetization: Offers opportunities for monetization through licensing and subscriptions.
Open-Source:
- Community Collaboration: Fosters collaboration and innovation among a wider community of developers.
- Faster Development: Can lead to faster development cycles and more rapid improvements.
- Wider Accessibility: Makes the technology more accessible to a wider range of users and organizations.

The debate between closed-source and open-source models is ongoing, and the optimal approach may depend on the specific application and the goals of the organization.

Inference Costs and the Democratization of AI

Baidu CEO Robin Li has also emphasized the importance of reducing inference costs. Baidu's (NASDAQ:BIDU) CEO Robin Li said investment in data centers and cloud infrastructure is still required in spite of the cost efficiency shown by DeepSeek compared to the large AI models.He stated at the World Governments Summit in Dubai that ""the inference cost [of foundation models] basically can be reduced by more than 90% over 12 months.""

This significant reduction in inference costs would have several benefits:

Increased Accessibility: Makes AI more accessible to smaller companies and organizations with limited resources.
Wider Adoption: Encourages wider adoption of AI across various industries.
Focus on Applications: Allows developers to focus on creating more super interesting and useful AI applications.

By lowering the barrier to entry, reduced inference costs can help to democratize AI and unlock its potential for a wider range of users.

Spending on AI Infrastructure: A Necessary Investment

Despite the advancements in cost efficiency, Baidu CEO Robin Li has emphasized that more spending will be needed to create better AI models than anyone else. Baidu CEO, Robin Li, announced that, in total, there are already over 70 AI language models with over 1 billion parameters introduced in China. Besides Baidu, other players thatHe also highlighted that investment in data centers and cloud infrastructure is still required.This indicates that while cost efficiency is crucial, continued investment in the underlying infrastructure is essential for achieving superior AI capabilities.

According to projections, major tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and Google are expected to spend over $300 billion on AI infrastructure in 2025.This demonstrates the scale of investment required to remain competitive in the AI landscape.

Common Questions About China's AI Development

What are the main drivers of AI development in China?

The main drivers include strong government support, vast data availability, a growing talent pool, and a competitive market.

How do China's AI regulations impact the industry?

The regulations promote responsible development, ensure data security and privacy, and emphasize transparency and explainability in AI models.

What is Baidu's role in China's AI ecosystem?

Baidu is a leading player, developing advanced AI models like Ernie, investing in infrastructure, and promoting AI applications across various industries.

What is the significance of DeepSeek's cost-efficient AI model?

It highlights the potential for significant cost reductions in AI development, challenging the assumption that expensive models are always superior.

Why is it important to focus on AI applications?

Focusing on applications allows China to unlock the full potential of AI and create economic and social benefits by solving real-world problems.

Key Takeaways and the Future Outlook

Robin Li's announcement that over 70 AI models have been released in China is a clear indication of the country's rapid progress in the field of artificial intelligence.The combination of government support, data availability, talent, and competition has created a vibrant ecosystem for AI innovation.While cost efficiency is becoming increasingly important, continued investment in infrastructure and a focus on real-world applications will be crucial for realizing the full potential of AI in China.

Here are the key takeaways from this analysis:

China has released over 70 large language models, each with over 1 billion parameters.
Baidu is a key player in this AI revolution, developing advanced models and investing in infrastructure.
New AI regulations are shaping the industry, promoting responsible development and data security.
Cost efficiency is becoming increasingly important, driven by companies like DeepSeek.
The future of AI in China will focus on real-world applications and unlocking economic and social benefits.

The AI landscape is constantly evolving, and China is poised to continue playing a leading role in shaping its future.Keep an eye on developments in this space, as they will undoubtedly have a significant impact on our world.

Ready to explore the potential of AI for your business? With insights from a report by Reuters, on Septem, Robin Li, CEO, Baidu, a Chinese tech company, mentioned that over 70 artificial intelligence (AI) models have beenContact us today to learn how we can help you leverage the latest AI technologies to achieve your goals!