Details: Baidu’s AI model and ERNIE chatbot added RMB 656 million ($91.2 million) to revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023, CEO Robin Li told investors on the firm’s earnings call, with incremental revenue expected to jump to several billion yuan in 2024. ERNIE Bot 4.0, the paid version rolled out in October, remains Baidu’s most advanced generative AI bot. Baidu’s increased investment in and commitment to AI is also reflected in the fact that its R&D costs climbed 11% to RMB 6.3 billion last quarter. The company released data showing that its homegrown AI service has attracted a sizable number of business customers, reaching 26,000 as of December. Context: Baidu’s ChatGPT-style service has recorded more than 100 million users given its first-mover advantage and integration with China’s largest search engine,.