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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

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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

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Dec. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of its 90th anniversary, Kärcher Cleaning Systems Sdn. Bhd reaffirmed its global commitment to community and environmental care by sponsoring professional cleaning equipment to Zoo Negara. The handover event held last Friday, 19 December, marked a significant partnership aimed at upgrading the zoo's cleaning standards through sustainable, high-performance solutions.

The sponsored equipment — including the HD6/15 G Classic Pressure Washer, LB 930/36 BP Leaf Blower together with high-performance batteries, and the Hose Trolley HT 3.420 Kit 5/8 — is valued at a total of RM40,592. These tools are designed to support the day-to-day maintenance efforts with efficient, eco-conscious technology.

The HD 6/15 G Classic Pressure Washer is built for heavy-duty outdoor cleaning, ideal for washing animal enclosures, walkways, and service areas. It delivers powerful high-pressure water flow and operates independently of a power supply, making it highly versatile for large outdoor spaces. The LB 930/36 BP Leaf Blower offers quiet yet powerful performance, perfect for clearing dry leaves and debris across landscaped areas without disturbing the animals. Meanwhile, the Hose Trolley HT 3.420 Kit 5/8 ensures organized and efficient water hose management for frequent cleaning tasks throughout the zoo grounds.

The day began with a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, where Kärcher's team actively cleaned several sections of the zoo using the sponsored machines. This initiative aimed to enhance the cleanliness of the zoo's environment and improve the overall living conditions for the animals. The hands-on effort also demonstrated Kärcher's commitment to empowering cleaning teams by equipping them with advanced tools that elevate their productivity and effectiveness.

Following the CSR activity, a formal handover ceremony was held, attended by distinguished guests including YBhg. Dato' Sr. Zaharin Md. Arif, President of the Malaysian Zoological Society, and YBhg. Datuk Rosly Lana, Deputy President of the Malaysian Zoological Society. The ceremony also featured the signing of the guestbook by Ms. Lydia Ng, Head of Marketing at Kärcher Cleaning Systems Sdn. Bhd., symbolizing the collaborative spirit and mutual appreciation between both organizations.

The occasion served as a dual celebration — honoring Kärcher's nine decades of innovation and marking a new chapter in its social impact initiatives in Malaysia. The contribution is expected to significantly enhance the zoo's ability to maintain clean, healthy spaces for its animals and provide a more pleasant environment for visitors. Kärcher also extended its appreciation to Zoo Negara for its continued trust in the brand and its products.

"Reaching our 90th anniversary is a proud milestone for Kärcher globally, and we wanted to commemorate it by making a meaningful contribution locally," said a Kärcher Malaysia representative. "Supporting Zoo Negara reflects our mission to create cleaner, safer spaces through technology that respects both people and the planet."

This sponsorship is part of Kärcher's long-standing commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community partnerships — values that have defined the brand's success for 90 years.

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

Kärcher Malaysia Powers Zoo Negara with Advanced Cleaning Technology Worth RM40,592

Kärcher Malaysia Powers Zoo Negara with Advanced Cleaning Technology Worth RM40,592

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