Chinese tech firm Baidu unveils AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT

Baidu CEO Robin Li introduces the functions of Ernie Bot during an event in Beijing, Thursday, March 16, 2023. Chinese search giant Baidu on Thursday unveiled its artificial intelligence chatbot Ernie Bot, with its CEO saying that there was high market demand as Chinese companies raced to develop an equivalent of Microsoft-backed ChatGPT. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Chinese search giant Baidu has unveiled its artificial intelligence chatbot Ernie Bot, presenting its rival to the Microsoft-backed ChatGPT in a pre-recorded video presentation that appeared to disappoint investors.

Baidu chief executive Robin Li said Ernie Bot has not been perfected, but the company went ahead with presenting it due to high demand.