The Contentious Ernie Bot: China's AI Chatbot Sparks Scientific Stir

Author: Brett Hurll                                                                                                                                                                     15 November 2023

Introduction: 

China's leading artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, Ernie Bot, developed by tech giant Baidu, has emerged as a point of contention due to its controversial views on science. This article delves into Ernie Bot's background, its contentious scientific claims, and the resulting implications within the global AI community. 

Background and Capabilities of Ernie Bot: 

Ernie Bot was unveiled by Baidu as a generative AI product and knowledge-enhanced large language model on March 16, 2023. It boasts an ability to comprehend human intentions and deliver accurate, logical, and fluent responses that approach human-level interactions. Ernie Bot 4.0, the latest version, was launched with enhanced capabilities to understand complex questions and generate images. During the unveiling, Baidu demonstrated the model's memory capabilities by showcasing it writing a martial arts novel in real-time and rapidly generating advertising materials such as posters, copy lines, and a marketing video within minutes​. 

Controversial Views on Science: 

Ernie Bot has expressed some contentious scientific claims, particularly regarding the origins of COVID-19. It alleges that the virus can be traced back to American vape users and was spread to Wuhan by American lobsters. These claims have sparked controversy and discussions on the reliability and programming of AI chatbots like Ernie Bot​. 

Implications and Reactions: 

The controversial scientific claims by Ernie Bot underline the importance of unbiased and fact-based information dissemination by AI. It brings to the forefront the potential for misinformation spread through AI platforms, especially when these platforms are utilized for providing information on critical and sensitive topics. The global AI community may take this as a cue to intensify efforts in ensuring that AI systems are programmed to adhere to factual accuracy and to avoid the dissemination of misinformation. This episode also underscores the necessity for a robust vetting process and the establishment of clear guidelines on information dissemination through AI platforms. 

Conclusion: