Baidu Announces Free Access to Wenxin Yiyen AI Model: A Major Step in Advancing AI Technology

On February 13, 2025, Baidu made a major announcement regarding its Wenxin Yiyen AI model, a decision that promises to reshape the competitive landscape of the AI market. Starting from April 1, 2025, Baidu will be offering free access to Wenxin Yiyen, a state-of-the-art AI model, to all users on both PC and mobile platforms. This decision is aimed at attracting a larger user base, enhancing Baidu’s position in the AI market, and ensuring that more people can benefit from cutting-edge AI technology.

New Features and Functionalities

Baidu has already rolled out several exciting new features for Wenxin Yiyen. Among the most notable is the introduction of the “Deep Search” feature. This powerful new capability enhances Wenxin Yiyen's ability to plan, think, and call upon tools more efficiently. It also offers “expert-level” content responses and can handle multi-scenario tasks. The feature supports multimodal input and output, making it more versatile and user-friendly.

Currently, the “Deep Search” feature is available to premium members, with Baidu planning to gradually expand this service to a wider user base. Starting April 1, 2025, other advanced features, including long document handling, professional retrieval enhancements, advanced AI-driven artwork, and multilingual conversations, will be made available to all users for free.

Refund Arrangement for Current Subscribers

As part of this major transition, Baidu has also announced a refund policy for existing premium subscribers. Any users who are still within their membership period as of February 13, 2025, will receive automatic refunds based on the remaining days of their subscription. Baidu will process these refunds without requiring users to initiate the request, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.

The Future of AI: Ernie 5.0

Baidu also revealed that later this year, it will be releasing its next-generation AI model, Ernie 5.0, which promises to bring significant advancements in multimodal capabilities. The upcoming Ernie 5.0 model will not only enhance Baidu's AI suite but also provide users with even more powerful and diverse functionalities.

Reasons Behind Wenxin Yiyen’s Free Access

Baidu’s decision to offer Wenxin Yiyen for free is a strategic move driven by several key factors:

1. Market Competition: The AI market is highly competitive, with companies like DeepSeek gaining traction through technological innovations and aggressive pricing strategies. By making Wenxin Yiyen freely accessible, Baidu aims to attract a larger user base, thus strengthening its position in the AI industry.

2. Data Accumulation: Free access to Wenxin Yiyen will generate vast amounts of interaction data across different industries and user needs. This data will be used to optimize and iterate the AI model, ultimately improving the quality and accuracy of generated content.

3. Promotion of Technology: With the continuous iteration of Wenxin Yiyen and the reduction in operating costs, Baidu is now in a position to democratize AI technology, making it accessible to a larger group of people and fostering broader industry development.

4. Exploring Business Opportunities: A larger user base not only boosts Baidu’s brand recognition but also lays the groundwork for future commercial ventures. This could include exploring new revenue streams through value-added services, partnerships, and collaborations with enterprises.

Baidu’s Core Business Lines

Baidu’s core business has evolved significantly in recent years, with a strong focus on AI and intelligent services:

1. Mobile Ecosystem Business: Baidu’s search engine leads the Chinese market, serving as a primary entry point for users seeking Chinese-language information and services. In addition to this, Baidu has launched several AI-driven applications, such as Baidu Maps, Baidu Cloud, and Baidu Encyclopedia.

2. Intelligent Cloud: Baidu’s intelligent cloud services have gained traction, with its Qianfan model platform serving over 150,000 customers. The smart cloud business, generating significant revenue, is poised to become a key growth driver for the company in the coming years.

3. Autonomous Driving: Baidu’s Apollo autonomous driving platform is another key component of its strategy. Through its ride-hailing service, Luobo Kuaipao, Baidu offers fully autonomous ride services, and the company is also working closely with car manufacturers like Geely to integrate its self-driving technology into vehicles.

Conclusion

Baidu’s decision to make Wenxin Yiyen free to all users is a bold move that positions the company at the forefront of AI technology. By doing so, Baidu not only strengthens its competitive edge but also facilitates the broader adoption of AI technology, fostering innovation and development across various sectors. As Baidu continues to push forward with advancements like Ernie 5.0, it is clear that the company is committed to shaping the future of AI.