Baidu Unveils ERNIE 4.5 Turbo and X1 Turbo to Revolutionize AI Development

Baidu Unveils New AI Innovations

Baidu's latest unveiling at its annual developer conference, Create 2025, has caught the attention of developers and tech enthusiasts alike. The release of ERNIE 4.5 Turbo and ERNIE X1 Turbo represents a significant leap in artificial intelligence technology. These two models not only showcase advanced multimodal capabilities but also come at competitive prices, aimed at empowering the developer community.

Key Innovations in ERNIE 4.5 Turbo and ERNIE X1 Turbo

Presenting the ERNIE 4.5 Turbo and ERNIE X1 Turbo, Baidu's CEO Robin Li noted how these models are designed to enhance user experience while tackling common pain points in AI development. With the first model, ERNIE 4.5 Turbo, users can expect quicker responses while enjoying pricing that is significantly lower—priced at just 20% of its predecessor. Meanwhile, ERNIE X1 Turbo stands out as a highly capable reasoning model, priding itself on an upgrade that bolsters its deep thinking and multimodal capabilities. It has been introduced at half the cost of the original ERNIE X1.

The groundbreaking multimodal capabilities of these models mean that they can handle a variety of inputs—including text and visual content—making them versatile tools in various applications. Li mentioned that multimodal capabilities will set the standard for the future of AI models, and as a result, they will become a crucial attribute for developers.

The Rise of Digital Humans and AI Applications

One of the standout features Baidu highlighted at the conference was the introduction of 'highly convincing digital humans.' With advanced features that allow for ultra-realistic interactions and content generation, these digital humans represent a significant application of Baidu's AI technology. For instance, the Huiboxing platform allows users to create a digital human with just a two-minute video upload, transforming simple video footage into an interactive AI persona.

In addition to digital humans, Baidu also introduced its 'Xinxiang' application, which acts as a multi-agent collaboration tool. This innovative app allows users to engage complex tasks by simply providing a sentence prompt, thereby streamlining various processes ranging from travel planning to workspace organization.

A Comprehensive Ecosystem for Developers

As part of its broader commitment to the developer community, Baidu has launched the AI Open Initiative, a platform aimed at connecting developers with resources and monetization opportunities. With a range of services available for AI agents, web applications, and standalone tools, this initiative is set to enhance the accessibility and reach of innovative AI solutions. Furthermore, Baidu has announced the integration of the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which Li likened to implementing a universal socket for AI. This will facilitate seamless connections between different services and models, providing developers with greater flexibility.

Additionally, the company announced its investment in cultivating talent through the ERNIE Cup Innovation Challenge, which offers substantial prizes to support groundbreaking projects and encourage the development of future AI talent.

Conclusion

Baidu's commitment to innovation in artificial intelligence through the introduction of ERNIE 4.5 Turbo and X1 Turbo, along with its new initiatives, reflects its mission to simplify the complicated world through technology. With the promise of empowering developers and enhancing user experiences, Baidu is undoubtedly setting the stage for the evolution of AI in various sectors. The future looks bright as the company leads the charge in AI development, ensuring that applications, rather than just models, remain at the forefront of the evolving technology landscape.