Alibaba releases its own AI chatbot to keep up with competitors, such as OpenAI and Baidu.
New AI chatbot released for platforms by Alibaba; Image: Financial Times.
Alibaba unveiled its new chatbot last Friday and also released it right away. The chatbot, which is said to be similar to ChatGPT, will be integrated into all of the company's platforms in the near future.
The chatbot, named Tongyi Qianwen, which means "truth of a thousand questions," has been writing invitations, organizing trips and advising shoppers on which makeup would look best.
The chatbot should build its own language for each user, Alibaba CEO Daniel Zhang said. The technology will create big changes in the way we produce, work and live, he said.
China's regulator put new laws on the horizon right after the chatbot's announcement. The AI technology is only allowed if "socialist values" are adhered to with the chatbot, otherwise there is a risk of fines and imprisonment for the company.
Baidu's "Ernie" chatbot does not answer questions about Xi Jinping and the 1989 crackdown on Tiananmen Square. Also, "Ernie" is not accessible yet to all users.
