Baidu delivers new LLMs Ernie 4.5 and Ernie X1 Undercutting Deepseek, Openai at cost – but they are not open resources (PA)

On the weekend, the giant in Chinese search on the web baidu Announced the launch of two new AI models, Ernie 4.5 and Ernie X1A multimodal language model and reasoning model, respectively.

Baidu claims that they offer state-of-the-art performance in various metrics, endowed the arbitrary V3 and Openai's GPT-4.5 (how do you like the closely baidu match also selected?) In some third-party benchmark tests such as C-Eval (LLM performance assessment of Chinese LLM in knowledge and reasoning throughout 52 subjects), Cmmlu (massive understanding of the multitask language in Chinese), and GSM8K (Word problems in Math).

It also claims to break the cost of fellow Chinese Wunderkind's The R1's R1 Reasoning model Ernie X1 includes 50% and US AI Juggernaut GPT-4.5 by Openai with Ernie 4.5 by 99%, respectively.

However both have some important limitations, including a lack of open licensing resources in the former case (which offers Deepseek R1) and a very low context compared to the latter (8,000 tokens instead of 128,000, openly a fantastic low value in this age of million-token-plus windows context. Meaning.

Number X user @claudeglass Noted in a post, the small context window makes it only suitable for customer service chatbots.

Baidu Posted to x It plans to make the Ernie 4.5 Model Family Open Source on June 30, 2025.

Baidu enables access to models through its application programming interface (API) and Chinese language rival Chaton in ChatGPT, known as “Ernie Bot” – It answers questions, generates text, creates creative writing, and interacts with talking with users – and makes Ernie Bot free.

Ernie 4.5: A new generation of multimodal AI

Ernie 4.5 is Baidu's latest foundation model, designed as a native multimodal system capable of processing and understanding text, images, audio, and video, and a clear competitor with The GPT-4.5 model of Openai was released on February 2025.

The model is to be -optimize for better understanding, generation, reasoning, and memory. Enhancements include improved hallucinations, logical reasoning, and coding capabilities.

According to Baidu, Ernie 4.5 Outperforms GPT-4.5 in many benchmarks while maintaining a significant lower cost.

Model advances come from several basic technologies, including flashmask dynamic attention masking, heterogenous multimodal mix-of-an-expert, and self-feedback enhanced post-training.

Ernie X1 introduces advanced reasoning capabilities deeply, emphasizing understanding, planning, reflection, and evolution.

Unlike the usual Multimodal AI models, Ernie X1 is specifically designed for complex reasoning and tool use, which enables to perform tasks such as advanced search, based on the Q&A document, AI-generated image interpretation, code implementation, and web page review.

The model supports a set of tools, including academic baidu search, finding business information, and franchise research tools. Its development is based on the study of progressive reinforcement, end-to-end training in incorporating chains of thought and action, and a unified multi-faceted reward system.

Accessing and having the API

Users can now access both Ernie 4.5 and Ernie X1 through the official Ernie Bot website.

For business users and developers, Ernie is now available 4.5 Baidu Ai Cloud's Qianfan Platform by accessing API. Ernie X1 is expected to be available as soon as possible.

Pricing for accessing API:

• Ernie 4.5:
  • Input: $ 0.55 USD per 1 million tokens
  • Output: $ 2.2 per 1m token
• Ernie X1:
  • Input: $ 0.28 per 1m token
  • Output: $ 1.1 per 1m token

Compare that with:

• DeepSeek R1
  • Input: $ 0.55 per 1m token
  • Output: $ 2.19 per 1m token

Baidu also announced plans to include Ernie 4.5 and Ernie X1 in the wider ecosystem, including the Baidu Search and the Wenxiaoyan app.

Considerations for business decisions makers

For CIOs, CTOs, IT leaders, and devops, the launch of Ernie 4.5 and Ernie X1 presents both opportunities and considerations:

• Performance compared to cost . However, further benchmarking and real-world tests may be required to assess performance for specific business applications.
• Multimodal and reasoning abilities – The ability to process and understand text, images, audio, and video can be important for businesses in industries such as customer support, content generation, legal tech, and finance.
• Tool integration -The Ernie X1's ability to work with tools such as advanced search, Q&A document, and code interpretation can provide automation and efficiency in business environments.
• Ecosystem and localization -As Baidu AI models are optimized for Chinese language processing and regional knowledge, businesses working in China or target Chinese-speaking markets can find Ernie models more effective than global successors.
• Privacy and Data Privacy -As Baidu indicated that the GPT-4.5 will be made open resources later this summer, June 30, 2025, still three months away, so businesses must wait until that time to check if it is worth deploying local or at cloud services hosted in the US. Enterprise users should check the Baidu policies regarding data privacy, compliance, and use of the model before incorporating AI solutions.

Expanding AI and the outlook on the future

As the AI ​​development accelerates 2025, Baidu positions himself as a leader in AI-based AI technologies.

The company plans to continue investing in artificial intelligence, data centers, and cloud infrastructure to enhance the capabilities of its foundation models.

By offering a combination of strong performance and lower costs, the latest AI models of Baidu aim to provide businesses and individual users with easier to access and advanced AI tools.

For more details, visit Ernie Bot's official website.