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Baidu Unveils ERNIE 4.5 and Reasoning Model ERNIE X1, Makes ERNIE Bot Free Ahead of Schedule

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Baidu Unveils ERNIE 4.5 and Reasoning Model ERNIE X1, Makes ERNIE Bot Free Ahead of Schedule
Business

Business

Baidu Unveils ERNIE 4.5 and Reasoning Model ERNIE X1, Makes ERNIE Bot Free Ahead of Schedule

2025-03-16 16:36 Last Updated At:16:55

  • With the launch of ERNIE 4.5 and ERNIE X1, ERNIE Bot is made free to the public ahead of schedule, and users can access both models free of charge.
  • As a deep-thinking reasoning model with multimodal capabilities, ERNIE X1 delivers performance on par with DeepSeek R1 at only half the price.
  • ERNIE 4.5 is the company's latest foundation model and native multimodal model, with input and output prices starting as low as RMB 0.004 per thousand tokens and RMB 0.016 per thousand tokens.
  • BEIJING, March 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU and HKEX: 9888), a leading AI company with strong Internet foundation, today launched its latest foundation models, including native multimodal foundation model ERNIE 4.5 and deep-thinking reasoning model ERNIE X1. Both models are now freely accessible to individual users through ERNIE Bot's official website (https://yiyan.baidu.com/).

    The launch of ERNIE 4.5 and ERNIE X1 marks a significant milestone in pushing the boundaries of multimodal and reasoning models, offering advanced capabilities at a more accessible price point. It also underscores Baidu's commitment to continued investment in developing smarter and more powerful next-generation foundation models.

    Baidu also plans to progressively integrate both ERNIE 4.5 and X1 into its product ecosystem. This integration will include Baidu Search, the Wenxiaoyan app, and other offerings, delivering a more versatile and enhanced experience to a broader base of individual users.

    With the addition of ERNIE 4.5 and ERNIE X1 today, ERNIE Bot is being made free to the public ahead of schedule. Earlier this year, the company announced a plan that ERNIE Bot would become fully-free to individual users starting April 1. For enterprise users and developers, ERNIE 4.5 is now accessible via APIs on Baidu AI Cloud's MaaS platform Qianfan, while ERNIE X1 is set to be available on the platform soon.

    ERNIE 4.5: Baidu's New Generation Native Multimodal Foundation Model

    ERNIE 4.5 is Baidu's new generation native multimodal foundation model independently developed by the company. It achieves collaborative optimization through joint modeling of multiple modalities, demonstrating exceptional multimodal comprehension capabilities. With refined language skills, it exhibits comprehensive improvements in understanding, generation, reasoning and memory, along with notable enhancements in hallucination prevention, logical reasoning, and coding abilities.

    ERNIE 4.5's multimodal capabilities are evident in its ability to integrate and understand text, images, audio, and video content.

    ERNIE 4.5 also possesses strong intelligence and contextual awareness, effortlessly understanding internet memes, satirical cartoons, and more.

    As Baidu's latest foundation model and native multimodal model, ERNIE 4.5 outperforms GPT-4.5 in multiple benchmarks while priced at just 1% of GPT-4.5.


    The significant enhancements in ERNIE 4.5's capabilities are attributed to several key technologies including "FlashMask" Dynamic Attention Masking, Heterogeneous Multimodal Mixture-of-Experts, Spatiotemporal Representation Compression, Knowledge-Centric Training Data Construction, Self-feedback Enhanced Post-Training.

    ERNIE X1: Baidu's New Deep-Thinking Reasoning Model

    ERNIE X1 possesses enhanced capabilities in understanding, planning, reflection, and evolution. As Baidu's first multimodal deep-thinking reasoning model capable of tool use, X1 also excels in Chinese knowledge Q&A, literary creation, manuscript writing, dialogue, logical reasoning, and complex calculations.

    Specifically for tool use, X1 supports various tools including advanced search, Q&A on given document, image understanding, AI image generation, code interpreting, webpage reading, TreeMind mapping, Baidu academic search, business information search, and franchise information search.

    The comprehensive uplift in ERNIE X1's capabilities is underpinned by key technologies such as the Progressive Reinforcement Learning Method, End-to-End Training Approach Integrating Chains of Thought and Action, and A Unified Multi-Faceted Reward System.

    Enterprise users and developers can directly access ERNIE 4.5's API through Baidu AI Cloud's Qianfan Foundation Model Platform, with input prices starting as low as RMB 0.004 per thousand tokens and output prices at RMB 0.016 per thousand tokens.  ERNIE X1 will soon be available on the Qianfan Platform, with input prices as low as RMB 0.002 per thousand tokens and output prices as low as RMB 0.008 per thousand tokens.

    2025 is set to be an important year for the development and iteration of large language models and technologies. With the launch of ERNIE 4.5 and ERNIE X1, Baidu will continue to invest in artificial intelligence, data centers and cloud infrastructure to advance our AI capabilities, and develop smarter and more powerful next-generation models.

    About Baidu

    Founded in 2000, Baidu's mission is to make the complicated world simpler through technology. Baidu is a leading AI company with strong internet foundation, trading on the NASDAQ under "BIDU" and HKEX under "9888." One Baidu ADS represents eight Class A ordinary shares.

    Media Contact
    intlcomm@baidu.com

BEIJING, March 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU and HKEX: 9888), a leading AI company with strong Internet foundation, today launched its latest foundation models, including native multimodal foundation model ERNIE 4.5 and deep-thinking reasoning model ERNIE X1. Both models are now freely accessible to individual users through ERNIE Bot's official website (https://yiyan.baidu.com/).

The launch of ERNIE 4.5 and ERNIE X1 marks a significant milestone in pushing the boundaries of multimodal and reasoning models, offering advanced capabilities at a more accessible price point. It also underscores Baidu's commitment to continued investment in developing smarter and more powerful next-generation foundation models.

Baidu also plans to progressively integrate both ERNIE 4.5 and X1 into its product ecosystem. This integration will include Baidu Search, the Wenxiaoyan app, and other offerings, delivering a more versatile and enhanced experience to a broader base of individual users.

With the addition of ERNIE 4.5 and ERNIE X1 today, ERNIE Bot is being made free to the public ahead of schedule. Earlier this year, the company announced a plan that ERNIE Bot would become fully-free to individual users starting April 1. For enterprise users and developers, ERNIE 4.5 is now accessible via APIs on Baidu AI Cloud's MaaS platform Qianfan, while ERNIE X1 is set to be available on the platform soon.

ERNIE 4.5: Baidu's New Generation Native Multimodal Foundation Model

ERNIE 4.5 is Baidu's new generation native multimodal foundation model independently developed by the company. It achieves collaborative optimization through joint modeling of multiple modalities, demonstrating exceptional multimodal comprehension capabilities. With refined language skills, it exhibits comprehensive improvements in understanding, generation, reasoning and memory, along with notable enhancements in hallucination prevention, logical reasoning, and coding abilities.

ERNIE 4.5's multimodal capabilities are evident in its ability to integrate and understand text, images, audio, and video content.

ERNIE 4.5 also possesses strong intelligence and contextual awareness, effortlessly understanding internet memes, satirical cartoons, and more.

As Baidu's latest foundation model and native multimodal model, ERNIE 4.5 outperforms GPT-4.5 in multiple benchmarks while priced at just 1% of GPT-4.5.

The significant enhancements in ERNIE 4.5's capabilities are attributed to several key technologies including "FlashMask" Dynamic Attention Masking, Heterogeneous Multimodal Mixture-of-Experts, Spatiotemporal Representation Compression, Knowledge-Centric Training Data Construction, Self-feedback Enhanced Post-Training.

ERNIE X1: Baidu's New Deep-Thinking Reasoning Model

ERNIE X1 possesses enhanced capabilities in understanding, planning, reflection, and evolution. As Baidu's first multimodal deep-thinking reasoning model capable of tool use, X1 also excels in Chinese knowledge Q&A, literary creation, manuscript writing, dialogue, logical reasoning, and complex calculations.

Specifically for tool use, X1 supports various tools including advanced search, Q&A on given document, image understanding, AI image generation, code interpreting, webpage reading, TreeMind mapping, Baidu academic search, business information search, and franchise information search.

The comprehensive uplift in ERNIE X1's capabilities is underpinned by key technologies such as the Progressive Reinforcement Learning Method, End-to-End Training Approach Integrating Chains of Thought and Action, and A Unified Multi-Faceted Reward System.

Enterprise users and developers can directly access ERNIE 4.5's API through Baidu AI Cloud's Qianfan Foundation Model Platform, with input prices starting as low as RMB 0.004 per thousand tokens and output prices at RMB 0.016 per thousand tokens.  ERNIE X1 will soon be available on the Qianfan Platform, with input prices as low as RMB 0.002 per thousand tokens and output prices as low as RMB 0.008 per thousand tokens.

2025 is set to be an important year for the development and iteration of large language models and technologies. With the launch of ERNIE 4.5 and ERNIE X1, Baidu will continue to invest in artificial intelligence, data centers and cloud infrastructure to advance our AI capabilities, and develop smarter and more powerful next-generation models.

About Baidu

Founded in 2000, Baidu's mission is to make the complicated world simpler through technology. Baidu is a leading AI company with strong internet foundation, trading on the NASDAQ under "BIDU" and HKEX under "9888." One Baidu ADS represents eight Class A ordinary shares.

Media Contact
intlcomm@baidu.com

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Baidu Unveils ERNIE 4.5 and Reasoning Model ERNIE X1, Makes ERNIE Bot Free Ahead of Schedule

Baidu Unveils ERNIE 4.5 and Reasoning Model ERNIE X1, Makes ERNIE Bot Free Ahead of Schedule

Baidu Unveils ERNIE 4.5 and Reasoning Model ERNIE X1, Makes ERNIE Bot Free Ahead of Schedule

Baidu Unveils ERNIE 4.5 and Reasoning Model ERNIE X1, Makes ERNIE Bot Free Ahead of Schedule

Recognition by Great Place To Work® highlights Bizcap's commitment to building a high-performance culture where women thrive

MELBOURNE, Australia, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bizcap has been recognised as one of Australia's Best Workplaces™ for Women 2026 by Great Place To Work®, the global authority on workplace culture. The prestigious list honours 50 organisations across Australia that are proving exceptional business performance and inclusive, equitable workplace culture go hand in hand.

The recognition follows a rigorous assessment process, including confidential employee feedback, detailed analysis of organisational culture, and insights from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA). This data-driven evaluation ensures that recognised companies demonstrate a genuine and measurable commitment to advancing women in the workplace.

This focus has supported Bizcap's continued growth across multiple international markets.

The award comes after Bizcap was named one of the Best Workplaces™ in Australia in 2025.

Building a culture where women lead and thrive

Since its inception, Bizcap has been committed to building an inclusive, high-performance culture where people have equal access to opportunity and leadership. Bizcap's inclusion on the 2026 list recognises that commitment in action and the progress made in creating clear pathways for women to build enduring careers and step into senior leadership roles across commercial, operational and strategic functions that drive long-term value creation.

This has been supported through targeted leadership development, transparent performance frameworks, flexible work practices and a strong focus on psychological safety, ensuring women across the organisation are empowered to influence strategy, lead teams and drive measurable outcomes.

Rebecca del Rio, Bizcap's Deputy CEO (APAC) and Global Chief Revenue Officer, said the recognition reflects deliberate action rather than aspiration.

"At Bizcap, we believe high performance and inclusive leadership are inseparable. This recognition is a testament to the intentional work we've done to create an environment where women are empowered to lead, innovate and drive commercial outcomes," she said.

"When women have equal access to leadership pathways, our business benefits. Diverse perspectives strengthen our strategy, improve risk calibration, challenge conventional thinking and ultimately enhance our ability to compete. That philosophy extends beyond gender. From the very beginning, we have intentionally built teams with complementary strengths and experiences because diversity of thought makes us more innovative, more resilient and better aligned to the clients we serve."

Bizcap's Senior People and Culture Manager Kirsty Nixon said it was important to note that this recognition is grounded in direct employee feedback.

"It tells us our people feel supported and confident in their ability to grow here. From the beginning, our founders and senior leadership team have been aligned on building a true meritocracy, where advancement is driven by performance, capability and impact," she said.

"We hold our leaders to high standards in fostering that environment, ensuring opportunity is tangible, expectations are clear and performance is consistently recognised," said Bizcap's Co-Founder and CEO Zalman Blachman.

"Our People and Culture team plays a critical role as a partner to leadership, helping embed these standards across the organisation so they are experienced consistently at every level," he said.

What sets Bizcap apart

As a non-bank lender providing fast, flexible working capital to small and medium-sized businesses globally, Bizcap understands the value of agility, innovation and strong partnerships. Internally, this translates into:

  • A culture of psychological safety where diverse perspectives are encouraged
  • Clear career progression pathways and leadership development programs
  • Flexible work arrangements that support performance and wellbeing
  • Transparent remuneration and advancement frameworks
  • Leadership development initiatives supporting women across commercial, operational and executive functions.

Rebecca Moulynox, General Manager of Great Place To Work Australia and New Zealand, said:

"These companies aren't just talking about gender equity, they're proving it works. They've created cultures where psychological safety, flexible work, and career development aren't buzzwords, they're business strategies delivering measurable results for employees and shareholders alike."

By maintaining clear standards of opportunity and advancement as it scales, Bizcap continues to demonstrate that strong culture drives strong performance.

 

** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

Bizcap named one of Australia's Best Workplaces™ for Women 2026

Bizcap named one of Australia's Best Workplaces™ for Women 2026

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